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Latest music news, comment, reviews and analysis from the Guardianen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:42:17 GMT2015-03-03T20:42:17Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Cult heroes: Tahita Bulmer demands to be judged on her smarts, not her lookshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/cult-heroes-tahita-bulmer-demands-to-be-judged-on-her-smarts-not-her-looks
<p>NYPC might have been consigned to the new rave recycling centre, but they’re still out there, making clever, catchy records that deserve to be heard</p><p>Ask me about cult heroes, and I can already smell the dust. Because cult heroes always seem to belong to the past, don’t they? It’s a musky old business, like an archeological dig in a giant record crate: we rummage around looking for neglected names to excavate and re-evaluate with the benefit of hindsight. There’s an undeniable whiff of history about the whole thing.</p><p>But I don’t think you always need the safety net of elapsed time to spot a cult hero. They’re here right now, in their prime, walking and working among us – even if they’ve fallen between the cracks. Mine is Tahita Bulmer, lead singer of NYPC. In 2005, NYPC – or, as they were called then, New Young Pony Club – were monstrously hyped. In the past 10 years, they’ve slowly slipped out of mainstream favour. And yet, she and her band have carried on just the same, making music that’s ridiculously smart, fun, inventive and ambitious; the type of pop music we always say we crave. It baffles me that more people don’t seem to notice. <br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/cult-heroes-tahita-bulmer-demands-to-be-judged-on-her-smarts-not-her-looks">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockIndieElectronic musicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:31:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/cult-heroes-tahita-bulmer-demands-to-be-judged-on-her-smarts-not-her-looksBen Hewitt2015-03-03T15:31:16ZWu-Tang Clan unveil sole copy of their new albumhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-unveil-sole-copy-new-album
<p>On Monday night, RZA introduced 13 minutes of the 31-track Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, which will be auctioned off to a single person in order ‘to restore the concept of value to music’<br></p><p>“Instead of trying to sell the most records, we’re trying to sell the least,” says Tarik Azzougarh, the Wu-Tang Clan’s only non-American member (he’s from the Netherlands). Better known as Cilvaringz, he’s on stage at PS1, the Queens outpost of New York’s Museum of Modern Art, with his mentor, Wu producer and ringmaster<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/09/wu-tang-clan-rza-interview"> RZA,</a> and music journalist <a href="http://www.sashafrerejones.com/">Sasha Frere-Jones</a>. In front of them is a cedarwood box on a plinth covered with silver nickel filigree work and a plaque in the shape of the Wu-Tang Clan’s batlike logo, which the RZA calls “the illest album cover in the word”.<br /></p><p>However, the box is empty. Eventually, it will hold the sole copy of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, the Wu-Tang Clan’s eighth and final album, currently in a vault in Marrakech, Morocco, and which is to be offered in a private sale by <a href="https://paddle8.com/">Paddle8</a>. And that literally is the only copy, or so RZA says. If it’s damaged or destroyed, there goes the record – there is no digital backup. Whoever buys it will also purchase the rights to the songs, though there are conditions – he or she will not be allowed to “commercialise” the music – in other words, to sell it. It’s like buying a painting, explains Cilvaringz from the stage. You own the canvas and the brushstrokes, but not the right to print postcards of the image and sell them.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-will-let-buyer-of-their-one-off-album-release-it-after-88-years">Wu-Tang Clan will let buyer of their one-off album release it – after 88 years</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-unveil-sole-copy-new-album">Continue reading...</a>Wu-Tang ClanMusicCultureArt and designHip-hopRapUrban musicTue, 03 Mar 2015 14:27:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-unveil-sole-copy-new-albumAlex Needham2015-03-03T14:27:51ZCannibal Ox: 'We strive every day to do better'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/cannibal-ox-blade-of-the-ronin-interview
<p>The New York rappers have returned with their first album for 14 years. They explain how they and their city have changed in their absence</p><p>“A ronin is a samurai who has no allegiance. It’s about freedom, being creatively free to swing our sword in any direction that we feel.” Vast Aire is explaining samurai lore to me via Skype from New York: his and his childhood friend Vordul Mega’s second album as Cannibal Ox is entitled Blade of the Ronin. “When you come to have a sword and master, they can dictate where your sword goes, where your spear goes. But when you’re a ronin, you still have all those skills, but you use them when and how you want.”</p><p>Rappers may have a stronger disposition towards elaborate martial arts metaphors than most musicians, but sometimes it is with good reason. It has been 14 years since the last, and to date only, Cannibal Ox album. Free of a master’s control, only now are the duo finally choosing to swing their sword again. On its release, 2001’s <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/aug/09/cannibal-ox-cold-vein">The Cold Vein</a> was hailed as <a href="http://www.nme.com/reviews/5514">an underground masterpiece</a>, a vivid, passionate take on life in Harlem, a journey through exemplary gritty ghetto realism towards the psychedelic possibility of escape. What followed were rumours of splits, possible comebacks and personal problems – and a succession of side and solo projects.<br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/cannibal-ox-blade-of-the-ronin-interview">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockRapHip-hopUrban musicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 12:24:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/cannibal-ox-blade-of-the-ronin-interviewDan Hancox2015-03-03T12:24:07ZFantasma - Free Love: Exclusive album streamhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/fantasma-free-love-exclusive-album-stream
<p>The South African band featuring Spoek Mathambo have produced a mesmerising debut album – have a listen ahead of release and let us know your thoughts! </p><p>South Africa has long been a hotbed for forward-thinking sounds, from the vibrant Shangaan electro scene to the lo-fi avant soundscapes of current bands like John Wizards. </p><p>Fantasma fit seamlessly into this lineage, with a debut album that fuses traditional South African music with hip hop, soul, pop and electronica. Perhaps this should be no surprise given that they boast Spoek Mathambo as a member, one of the country’s most innovative artists (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/25/spoek-mathambo-future-sound-of-mzansi">read about his 2014 documentary, Future Sounds of Mzansi, here</a>). He’s joined by DJ Spoko, guitarist Andre Geldenhuys, Bhekisenzo Cele and drummer Michael Buchanan on a mission to inject fresh sounds into pop. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/fantasma-free-love-exclusive-album-stream">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureWorld musicElectronic musicTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:33:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/fantasma-free-love-exclusive-album-streamGuardian music2015-03-03T15:33:06ZAlt-J, Portishead and Noel Gallagher to headline Latitudehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/alt-j-portishead-and-noel-gallagher-to-headline-latitude
<p>Suffolk festival billed topped by three acts who’ve never headlined there before, with strong supports down the bill</p><p>Alt-J, Portishead and Noel Gallager’s High Flying Birds have been announced as the headliners for this year’s Latitude festival, which takes place from 16-19 July at Henham Park in Suffolk.</p><p>A strong undercard on the main stage in the Obelisk arena sees the headliners joined by Manic Street Preachers, Caribou, James Blake, Laura Marling and Wild Beasts, among others. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/jul/20/latitude-festival-review-music-damon-albarn-blur">Latitude festival review – music to match the wonderment of the weather</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/alt-j-portishead-and-noel-gallagher-to-headline-latitude">Continue reading...</a>MusicLatitude festivalCultureMusic festivalsFestivalsPop and rockNoel GallagherPortisheadAlt-JTue, 03 Mar 2015 12:30:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/alt-j-portishead-and-noel-gallagher-to-headline-latitudeGuardian music2015-03-03T12:30:05ZSimon Rattle appointed music director of London Symphony Orchestrahttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestra
<p>Conductor to follow in footsteps of André Previn, Michael Tilson Thomas, Colin Davis and current incumbent, Valery Gergiev</p><p>Sir Simon Rattle has been appointed as the music director of the <a href="http://lso.co.uk/">London Symphony Orchestra</a>.</p><p>The news, as big as it gets in the world of classical music, ends <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2015/feb/15/observer-profile-simon-rattle-classical-music">months of speculation</a> that Rattle would return to the UK when his tenure with the Berlin Philharmonic finished.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-is-the-seismic-creative-shock-uk-classical-music-needs">Simon Rattle is the seismic, creative shock UK classical music needs</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestra">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleMusicLondon Symphony OrchestraClassical musicUK newsLondonCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 10:04:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestraMark Brown2015-03-03T10:04:13ZThe Teardrop Explodes: how we made Rewardhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/how-we-made-reward-the-teardrop-explodes-julian-cope
Julian Cope, singer: ‘I became the&nbsp;acid king – I would ride imaginary horses to the studio’<p><br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/how-we-made-reward-the-teardrop-explodes-julian-cope">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockJulian CopeMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 07:59:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/how-we-made-reward-the-teardrop-explodes-julian-copeInterviews by Dave Simpson2015-03-03T07:59:10ZSimon Rattle: new concert hall was not precondition for accepting LSO jobhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hall
<p>Rattle, who takes over as music director of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2017, denies appointment was dependent on venue being built</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hall">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleLondon Symphony OrchestraClassical musicMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:56:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hallMark Brown, arts correspondent2015-03-03T19:56:35ZWorking with Simon Rattle has been the best music education of my lifehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestra
<p>A hornist with the Berlin Philharmonic on his 13 years with the conductor and what the London Symphony Orchestra can expect from its new leader<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestra">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleLondon Symphony OrchestraBerlin PhilharmonicClaudio AbbadoClassical musicCultureMusicLondonWorld newsGermanyUK newsEuropeTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:48:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestraFergus McWilliam2015-03-03T18:48:44ZNew concert hall for London – grand ambition or white elephant in waiting?http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattle
<p>Sir Simon Rattle’s call for a venue in the British capital befitting the world’s best orchestras might be a tough sell in these austere times</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattle">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicSimon RattleCultureLondonMusicUK newsTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:51:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattleMark Brown2015-03-03T17:51:01ZI Pazzi Per Progetto/The Dancing Master review – rarities very much of their timehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/i-pazzi-per-progretto-dancing-master-review-guildhall-london
<strong>Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London</strong><br />From an opera set in a mental institution to a bawdy tale of racial stereotypes, these two curios are nonetheless enjoyable <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/i-pazzi-per-progretto-dancing-master-review-guildhall-london">Continue reading...</a>OperaClassical musicGuildhall School of Music & DramaMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:42:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/i-pazzi-per-progretto-dancing-master-review-guildhall-londonPhotograph: Clive Barda/PREngaging … I Pazzi Per Progetto at the Guildhall. Photograph: Clive BardaErica Jeal2015-03-03T15:42:36ZLSO/Hill review – wonderfully majestichttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/lso-hill-review-barbican-london
<strong>Barbican, London</strong><br />The effect of finding a last-minute replacement for the flu-hit Donald Runnicles couldn’t halt a first-rate performance <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/lso-hill-review-barbican-london">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicLondon Symphony OrchestraMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:38:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/lso-hill-review-barbican-londonPhotograph: PRLast-minute replacement … David HillTim Ashley2015-03-03T15:38:31ZBBCNOW/Jones/Terfel review – buoyant celebration of Wales’s musical heritagehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bbcnow-bryn-terfel-st-davids-hall-cardiff-review
<strong>St David’s hall, Cardiff</strong><br />Bryn Terfel toured his early cultural landscape with a precise sweetness but was accomapnied by too much alien schmaltz <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bbcnow-bryn-terfel-st-davids-hall-cardiff-review">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureBBC National Orchestra of WalesBryn TerfelTue, 03 Mar 2015 15:34:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bbcnow-bryn-terfel-st-davids-hall-cardiff-reviewRian Evans2015-03-03T15:34:16ZReaders recommend: songs to the power of two – part 1 resultshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/readers-recommend-songs-to-the-power-of-two-part-1
<p>In a special two-part list covering a month-long <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/29/readers-recommend-songs-about-number-two">double topic</a>, RR regular Barbryn takes round one with a special formula featuring Marvin Gaye to Laura Marling </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/readers-recommend-songs-to-the-power-of-two-part-1">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockSoulIndieFolk musicTue, 03 Mar 2015 13:19:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/readers-recommend-songs-to-the-power-of-two-part-1Barbryn2015-03-03T13:19:37ZThe War on Drugs review – triumphant, molten heartbreak musichttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/the-war-on-drugs-review-triumphant-heartbreak-music
<strong>Brixton Academy, London</strong><br>Adam Granduciel’s fractured, soul-spilling songs move beyond ragged-glory Americana into rhythmic, sparky epics tonight <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/the-war-on-drugs-review-triumphant-heartbreak-music">Continue reading...</a>IndiePop and rockMusicCultureAmericanaTue, 03 Mar 2015 12:04:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/the-war-on-drugs-review-triumphant-heartbreak-musicIan Gittins2015-03-03T12:04:00ZThe gig venue guide: Sneaky Pete's, Edinburghhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/the-gig-venue-guide-sneaky-petes-edinburgh
<p>This hole in the wall is an increasingly vital presence in the Scottish capital’s music scene, hosting raucous shows for an in-the-know crowd</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/the-gig-venue-guide-sneaky-petes-edinburgh">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockCultureEdinburghScotlandUnited KingdomTue, 03 Mar 2015 11:00:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/03/the-gig-venue-guide-sneaky-petes-edinburghGraeme Virtue2015-03-03T11:00:04ZSimon Rattle is the seismic, creative shock UK classical music needshttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-is-the-seismic-creative-shock-uk-classical-music-needs
<p>Conductor’s appointment as LSO music director could be catalyst for genre’s revitalisation, from schools to (new) concert halls<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-is-the-seismic-creative-shock-uk-classical-music-needs">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleClassical musicLondon Symphony OrchestraUK newsCultureMusicTue, 03 Mar 2015 10:13:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-is-the-seismic-creative-shock-uk-classical-music-needsTom Service2015-03-03T10:13:33ZSuge Knight tells LA court he is going blindhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/suge-knight-tells-la-court-he-is-going-blind
<p>Former rap mogul is hospitalised for third time since being charged with murder, and sacks his lawyers</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/suge-knight-tells-la-court-he-is-going-blind">Continue reading...</a>Suge KnightMusicPop and rockRapHip-hopUrban musicUS crimeLos AngelesCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 09:17:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/suge-knight-tells-la-court-he-is-going-blindGuardian music2015-03-03T09:17:37ZWu-Tang Clan will let buyer of their one-off album release it – after 88 yearshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-will-let-buyer-of-their-one-off-album-release-it-after-88-years
<p>Once Upon a Time in Shaolin will also feature appearances by FC Barcelona players, naturally</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-will-let-buyer-of-their-one-off-album-release-it-after-88-years">Continue reading...</a>Wu-Tang ClanMusicRapHip-hopUrban musicPop and rockCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 08:28:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/wu-tang-clan-will-let-buyer-of-their-one-off-album-release-it-after-88-yearsGuardian music2015-03-03T08:28:29ZBob Dylan has second album of standards, says Daniel Lanoishttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bob-dylan-has-second-album-of-standards-says-daniel-lanois
<p>Producer says Dylan has ‘made two records’ from his sessions of songs associated with Frank Sinatra</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bob-dylan-has-second-album-of-standards-says-daniel-lanois">Continue reading...</a>Bob DylanPop and rockAmericanaFrank SinatraCultureMusicTue, 03 Mar 2015 07:59:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/bob-dylan-has-second-album-of-standards-says-daniel-lanoisGuardian music2015-03-03T07:59:39ZThe playlist: new bands – Malukayi, Fever Dream, Thomston and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/the-playlist-new-bands-malukayi-fever-dream-thomston-and-more
<p>From Congolese electronica to Israeli megastars via Aukland’s answer to Justin Timberlake, this week’s pick of tracks from new artists is a global affair </p><p>Mbwonga Star are in the same general ballpark as <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/mar/13/ibibio-sound-machine-cd-review">Ibibio Sound Machine</a>. They come from System D, a notorious suburb of Kinshasa in the Congo. And they fuse (which is probably too smooth and seamless a word for this angular hodgepodge) traditional Congolese rhythms with postpunk and electronics created from a range of home-made instruments recycled from waste left in the slums – “making magic out of garbage”, to quote their producer, and Tony Allen collaborator, Doctor L. There will be an album on World Circuit in April, followed by a European tour. Bring a bottle – not to drink, to bash along rhythmically. <br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/the-playlist-new-bands-malukayi-fever-dream-thomston-and-more">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:15:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/the-playlist-new-bands-malukayi-fever-dream-thomston-and-morePaul Lester2015-03-02T12:15:17ZFive albums to try this week: Steven Wilson, Ghostpoet and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/stream-listen-new-albums-steven-wilson-ghostpoet
<p>Listen to new albums from indie artist Keath Mead to MC Ghostpoet. Which artists will you be playing this week?</p><p><strong>Why you should listen</strong>: London MC Obaro Ejimiwe drifts away from the minimal electronic beats that shaped his two previous albums, and brings on a full band for Shedding Skin’s moody, alt-rock.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/stream-listen-new-albums-steven-wilson-ghostpoet">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockIndieFolk musicGhostpoetElectronic musicHip-hopUrban musicMon, 02 Mar 2015 10:50:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/stream-listen-new-albums-steven-wilson-ghostpoetTshepo Mokoena2015-03-02T10:50:44ZHear Will Butler's final song for the Guardian, By the Waters of Babylonhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/will-butler-final-song-for-the-guardian-by-the-waters-of-babylon
<p>All this week, Arcade Fire’s Will Butler has been writing songs based on Guardian news stories. His final song is inspired by the ransacking of the museum in Mosul by Isis</p><ul><li><a href="http:// http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/26/isis-fighters-destroy-ancient-artefacts-mosul-museum-iraq">Read the story this song is based on</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/series/will-butler-s-song-a-day">Hear Will’s other songs for the Guardian here</a></li></ul><p>The words to today’s song are taken from Psalm 137. It’s a song of sorrow and rage from the mouth of a refugee whose city has been destroyed. The sorrow portion of the psalm is extremely famous and often quoted – ”How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” The rage portion of the psalm is less often brought up – “O daughter of Babylon … happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth they little ones against the stones.”</p><p>I can’t imagine the sorrow and rage of the people whose lands have been overrun by Isis, whose family and friends are murdered, whose culture is being destroyed.<br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/will-butler-final-song-for-the-guardian-by-the-waters-of-babylon">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockArcade FireFri, 27 Feb 2015 21:31:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/will-butler-final-song-for-the-guardian-by-the-waters-of-babylonWill Butler2015-02-27T21:31:34ZThe playlist: pop – Tori Kelly, Py, Vanbot and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/the-playlist-pop-tori-kelly-py-vanbot-katelyn-tarver
<p>Py gets sinister with her synths, Vanbot starts from scratch, and Katelyn Tarver takes a candy-coated shot at the American dream</p><p>Back in the halcyon days of December 2012, London-based singer-songwriter Py released a mixtape, Tripping on Wisdom, featuring collaborations with a host of producers including Breton, Lapalux, George Fitzgerald, Raffertie and Greenwood Sharps. As with most mixtapes, it was a bit all over the place. Since then she’s been awarded PRS Momentum funding (alongside Lapsley and BBC Music Sound of 2015 winners <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/09/years-years-top-bbcs-sound-of-2015-poll">Years &amp; Years</a>) and used the money to set up her own label, Tilehouse, and record a proper EP in Paris with producer Throwing Snow. Fancy. Premiered here are the first fruits of their labour in the shape of the twitching, oddly undulating title track, Ghostdance. Melodically slippery and with unsettling production touches throughout – that strange, descending synth line that underpins the chorus, the dead-eyed backing vocals that haunt the verses – it’s all glued together by Py’s soft, multilayered vocal that manages to make the whole thing seem simultaneously alluring and sinister.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/the-playlist-pop-tori-kelly-py-vanbot-katelyn-tarver">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:54:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/the-playlist-pop-tori-kelly-py-vanbot-katelyn-tarverMichael Cragg2015-02-27T16:54:03ZHear Will Butler's fourth song inspired by the Guardian, Madonna Can't Save Me Nowhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-fourth-song-guardian-madonna-cant-save-me-now
<p>All this week, Arcade Fire’s Will Butler has been writing songs based on stories he has read in the Guardian. Here’s the fourth, prompted by the discovery of a black hole 12bn times larger than the sun<br></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/feb/26/found-a-black-hole-12-billion-times-the-size-of-the-sun">Read the story that inspired the song here</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/series/will-butler-s-song-a-day">Hear Will’s earlier songs for the Guardian here</a></li></ul><p>I had every intention of writing about the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/brit-awards-2015">Brit awards</a>. It was a news event I was sure the Guardian would cover. I was pretty confident in Sam Smith and Taylor Swift. I could cheat a bit, prepare a couple zingers in advance.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dick">Arcade Fire's Will Butler: 'My goal in art is to be like Moby-Dick'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-fourth-song-guardian-madonna-cant-save-me-now">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockArcade FireCultureBlack holesSpaceMadonnaBrit Awards 2015Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:33:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-fourth-song-guardian-madonna-cant-save-me-nowWill Butler2015-02-26T21:33:14ZNew band of the week: Evvol (No 44)http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/evvol-no-44
<p>Australian-French-Irish trio based in Berlin who specialise in haunting, atmospheric trance-pop<br></p><p><strong>Hometown:</strong> Berlin/Dublin/Sydney.</p><p><strong>The lineup: </strong>Julie Chance (vocals), Jon Dark (guitar), Valentin Plessy (drums).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/evvol-no-44">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockDance musicElectronic musicFleetwood MacDavid BowieCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 11:49:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/evvol-no-44Paul Lester2015-02-27T11:49:31ZDu Blonde, Usher, Alex Adair: this week’s new tracks rated and slatedhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/du-blonde-this-weeks-new-tracks
<p>In the Guide single reviews, no one is safe, especially the annoying Alex Adair</p><p><strong>PICK OF THE WEEK </strong></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/du-blonde-this-weeks-new-tracks">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureUsherBeth Jeans HoughtonFri, 27 Feb 2015 13:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/du-blonde-this-weeks-new-tracksJoel Golby2015-02-27T13:00:09ZMarc Almond: The Velvet Trail - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/marc-almond-the-velvet-trail-video
Marc Almond releases his new album on 9 March, and we've got an exclusive premiere of his video for the title track here. Almond says the song is "personal, melancholy, reflective and evocative", and it's about memories, nostalgia, childhood and death. Though Almond had hinted that the 2010 album Varieté would be his last to feature original material, he was revitalised after Chris Braide sent him a trio of instrumental tracks written with him in mind – they developed a partnership that has resulted in The Velvet Trail <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/marc-almond-the-velvet-trail-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 12:23:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/marc-almond-the-velvet-trail-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-27T12:23:00ZCourtney Barnett performs Pedestrian at Best live in session – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/courtney-barnett-pedestrian-at-best-live-session-video
Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett performs Pedestrian at Best from her album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, east London, in a live session recorded exclusively for the Guardian. Known for her deadpan, rambling delivery, Courtney's music focuses on the mundane, overlooked details of everyday life <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/courtney-barnett-pedestrian-at-best-live-session-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicIndieCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 11:48:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/courtney-barnett-pedestrian-at-best-live-session-videoTom Silverstone, Irene Baqué, Louis van Kleeff and Ben Kape2015-02-26T11:48:00ZHear Will Butler's third new song written for the Guardian, You Must Be Kiddinghttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-third-new-song-written-for-the-guardian-you-must-be-kidding
<p>The first of two new songs today based on Guardian stories written by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler takes its inspiration from a tale of water crisis in São Paulo</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/feb/25/sao-paulo-brazil-failing-megacity-water-crisis-rationing">Read the story You Must Be Kidding was based on</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-waving-flag-video">Hear Waving Flag</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-clean-monday-video">Hear Clean Monday</a></li></ul><p>On this latest Arcade Fire tour I got to spend a couple of days in S&atilde;o Paulo. It was my first quality time spent in the city, and I loved it. Musician friends of friends showed us around. There’s a bonkers energy and, like most cities I love, a mind-bending blend of cultures. It was exhausting, mostly in a good way. I can’t wait to go back.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dick">Arcade Fire's Will Butler: 'My goal in art is to be like Moby-Dick'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-third-new-song-written-for-the-guardian-you-must-be-kidding">Continue reading...</a>MusicArcade FirePop and rockCultureCitiesCities and developmentThu, 26 Feb 2015 08:45:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-third-new-song-written-for-the-guardian-you-must-be-kiddingWill Butler2015-02-26T08:45:48ZHear Will Butler's second track specially written for the Guardian, Waving Flaghttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/will-butler-waving-flag-second-track-for-the-guardian
<p>All this week, Arcade Fire’s Will Butler is writing songs based on stories he’s read in the Guardian. Today’s takes its inspiration from the stories of an anti-apartheid hero’s remains being repatriated and Ukrainian separatists celebrating a Soviet holiday</p><ul><li>Read the stories that inspired Waving Flag – <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/anti-apartheid-hero-moses-kotanes-remains-repatriated-russia">here</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/23/ukraine-separatists-soviet-holiday-mens-day-donetsk">here</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/will-butler-clean-monday-hear-the-first-of-his-tracks-written-after-reading-the-guardian">Hear Will Butler’s first track for the Guardian, Clean Monday</a></li></ul><p>I was barely alive for the Cold War. I mean, I was alive, but I don’t particularly remember it. I was born in 1982. But I still have a deep American kneejerk suspicion of Soviet communism. What can I say? Though, really, that suspicion is somewhat justified by the horrific history of the Soviet Union.</p><p>Anyway.<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dick">Arcade Fire's Will Butler: 'My goal in art is to be like Moby-Dick'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/will-butler-waving-flag-second-track-for-the-guardian">Continue reading...</a>MusicArcade FirePop and rockCultureTue, 24 Feb 2015 21:07:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/will-butler-waving-flag-second-track-for-the-guardianWill Butler2015-02-24T21:07:09ZRoxy Music: 10 of the besthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/roxy-music-10-of-the-best
<p>There are two Roxy Musics – and our 10 deals only with the first, those abrasive musical insurgents, not the smooth balladeers of later years</p><p>As mission statements go, the very first Roxy Music song on their self-titled debut album couldn’t be any more effusive or less idiosyncratic. Not since the Jimi Hendrix Experience had any one band sounded this good playing over one another in an almost competitive manner, though the glaring difference was that Hendrix’s trio were virtuosos to a man. Aside from steady rhythm powerhouse Paul Thompson, it’s fair to say the Roxy of 1972 were musicians finding their way, and Brian Eno on the VCS3 synth notoriously couldn’t really play a note (he still can’t, not that that’s hurt his career any). The gloriously egalitarian nature of pop means ability can come in a variety of different guises, and County Durham’s Bryan Ferry, with his trembling voice, turned apparent shortcomings into strengths. He also approached the serious art of songwriting with a dadaist playfulness, in opposition to the prevailing trend in the early 70s of earnest confessional singer/songwriters. Bryan also had a lovely head of hair, and still does. Re-make/Re-model is a relentless, pulverising, sonic car crash of a song, and one of the cars in the pile up bears the number plate “CPL 593H” (sung repeatedly as the song’s only chorus), apparently driven by a beautiful woman Ferry noticed in the rear-view mirror on the way to the studio. The outro features a post-modernist smash and grab, the band chopping up bits of Richard Wagner, Duane Eddy and the Beatles and mixing them all together in their own irreverent musical scrapbook.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/roxy-music-10-of-the-best">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockRoxy MusicBryan FerryCultureElectronic musicBrian EnoWed, 25 Feb 2015 12:55:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/roxy-music-10-of-the-bestJeremy Allen2015-02-25T12:55:26ZBuena Vista Social Club: listen to new track Macusahttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/buena-vista-social-club-listen-to-new-track-macusa
<p>Almost two decades after their eponymous Grammy-winning record, an album of unheard material is about to be released – listen to a preview track here</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/buena-vista-social-club-listen-to-new-track-macusa">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockWorld musicWed, 25 Feb 2015 14:18:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/buena-vista-social-club-listen-to-new-track-macusaGuardian music2015-02-25T14:18:10ZThe playlist: hip-hop – Drake, Future, Killah Priest and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-playlist-hip-hop-drake-future-killah-priest-and-more
<p>A Euro-Deep South collaboration, a Drake mini-epic and a middle-aged, MOR remake of a 90s favourite all feature in this week’s playlist</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-playlist-hip-hop-drake-future-killah-priest-and-more">Continue reading...</a>Hip-hopDrakeMusicRapCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 12:33:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-playlist-hip-hop-drake-future-killah-priest-and-moreLanre Bakare2015-02-25T12:33:37ZThe mixtape: Okenyo, Cold Chisel, Katie Noonan, Seth Sentry and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-mixtape-okenyo-cold-chisel-katie-noonan-seth-sentry-and-more
<p>Actor turned singer Okenyo, Cold Chisel back on stage and Katie Noonan teams up with cartoonist Michael Leunig for an ode to peace</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-mixtape-okenyo-cold-chisel-katie-noonan-seth-sentry-and-more">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureSoulPop and rockPunkHip-hopUrban musicTue, 24 Feb 2015 22:40:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-mixtape-okenyo-cold-chisel-katie-noonan-seth-sentry-and-moreMonica Tan2015-02-24T22:40:39ZThe playlist: jazz – Clark Terry, Eberhard Weber, Leo Blanco and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-jazz-clark-terry-eberhard-weber-leo-blanco-and-more
<p>A video-art reimagining of a Kraftwerk classic, Chet Baker at his most sentimental and a Finnish folk artist takes on jazz</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-jazz-clark-terry-eberhard-weber-leo-blanco-and-more">Continue reading...</a>JazzCultureMusicTue, 24 Feb 2015 15:03:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-jazz-clark-terry-eberhard-weber-leo-blanco-and-moreJohn Fordham2015-02-24T15:03:42ZThe playlist: Americana – American Wrestlers, the Weather Station, Alabama Shakes and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-americana-american-wrestlers-the-weather-station-alabama-shakes-and-more
<p>From near catastrophe on a road trip through Canada to a stirring evocation of the North Carolina landscape – with a bunch of beguiling stop-offs in between</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-americana-american-wrestlers-the-weather-station-alabama-shakes-and-more">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureAmericanaAlabama ShakesPop and rockIndieTue, 24 Feb 2015 12:50:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-playlist-americana-american-wrestlers-the-weather-station-alabama-shakes-and-moreLaura Barton2015-02-24T12:50:23ZRobert Plant: watch a live performance of Turn it Uphttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/robert-plant-watch-a-live-performance-of-turn-it-up
<p>See the former Led Zeppelin singer performing Turn it Up, from his album Lullaby … and the Ceaseless Roar at the Roundhouse in London last year</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/robert-plant-watch-a-live-performance-of-turn-it-up">Continue reading...</a>Robert PlantMusicPop and rockWorld musicCultureTue, 24 Feb 2015 11:27:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/robert-plant-watch-a-live-performance-of-turn-it-upGuardian music2015-02-24T11:27:47ZWill Butler: Clean Monday – hear the first of his tracks written after reading the Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/will-butler-clean-monday-hear-the-first-of-his-tracks-written-after-reading-the-guardian
<p>Every day this week, Arcade Fire’s Will Butler is writing a song especially for us, based on a story from the Guardian. Here’s the first, inspired by the Greek debt crisis</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/feb/23/greek-bailout-markeks-rally-ftse-100-reforms-live">Read the story that inspired today’s song</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/will-butler-clean-monday-hear-the-first-of-his-tracks-written-after-reading-the-guardian">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockCultureArcade FireEurozone crisisMon, 23 Feb 2015 21:25:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/will-butler-clean-monday-hear-the-first-of-his-tracks-written-after-reading-the-guardianWill Butler2015-02-23T21:25:41ZThe playlist: African pop – Eddy Kenzo, Ntjam Rosie, Nneka and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/the-playlist-african-pop-eddy-kenzo-ntjam-rosie-nneka-and-more
<p>This month’s roundup includes the earthy smoothness of Ntjam Rosie, a hot-off-the-press collaboration between Eddy Kenzo and Patoranking and a softer side of Nneka</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/the-playlist-african-pop-eddy-kenzo-ntjam-rosie-nneka-and-more">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureAfricaMon, 23 Feb 2015 16:25:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/the-playlist-african-pop-eddy-kenzo-ntjam-rosie-nneka-and-moreGuardian Staff2015-02-23T16:25:04ZFive new albums to try this week: Dutch Uncles, Dan Deacon and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/stream-albums-dutch-uncles-dan-deacon-pop-group-citizen-zombie
<p>From Songhoy Blues’ debut to the Pop Group’s first album in 35 years, stream these new records and tell us what you will be listening to this week</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/stream-albums-dutch-uncles-dan-deacon-pop-group-citizen-zombie">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockIndieElectronic musicWorld musicDan DeaconMon, 23 Feb 2015 09:43:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/stream-albums-dutch-uncles-dan-deacon-pop-group-citizen-zombieTshepo Mokoena2015-02-23T09:43:24ZThe playlist: Latin American pop – Los Teke Teke, Buscabulla, Johnny Dominicana and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/the-playlist-latin-american-pop-los-teke-teke-buscabulla-johnny-dominicana-and-more
<p>Street party music, identity politics, a non-committal love song and the return of ‘bananas-popular’ Paulina Rubio<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/the-playlist-latin-american-pop-los-teke-teke-buscabulla-johnny-dominicana-and-more">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockThu, 19 Feb 2015 17:42:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/the-playlist-latin-american-pop-los-teke-teke-buscabulla-johnny-dominicana-and-moreJulianne Escobedo Shepherd2015-02-19T17:42:23ZWatch the video for Dean Blunt's new single, 100http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/dean-blunt-100-video-new-single
<p>The video for Dean Blunt’s new single opens with a transcript of a review given to the song by actor Idris Elba, who found it ‘a bit too experimental’. What do you think of it? </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/dean-blunt-100-video-new-single">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureExperimental musicIndieThu, 19 Feb 2015 15:00:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/19/dean-blunt-100-video-new-singleGuardian music2015-02-19T15:00:11ZThe mixtape: Angus & Julia Stone, Perfume Genius, J Mascis and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/the-mixtape-angus-julia-stone-perfume-genius-j-mascis
<p>Something sweet and flirty from the Stone siblings, avant-garde indie-pop singer Perfume Genius and J Mascis turns down the volume</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/the-mixtape-angus-julia-stone-perfume-genius-j-mascis">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockIndieElectronic musicTue, 17 Feb 2015 23:30:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/the-mixtape-angus-julia-stone-perfume-genius-j-mascisJade Hunter, Simon Williams, Martin Farrer and Monica Tan2015-02-17T23:30:07ZMumford & Sons announce details of third album Wilder Mindhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/mumford-sons-announce-album-wilder-mind-gentlemen-road-festival
<p>The folk band reveal a full tracklisting for Wilder Mind and share details of their Gentlemen of the Road festival’s lineup and locations</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/mumford-sons-announce-album-wilder-mind-gentlemen-road-festival">Continue reading...</a>Mumford & SonsFolk musicMusicCultureFestivalsPop and rockMon, 02 Mar 2015 16:00:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/mumford-sons-announce-album-wilder-mind-gentlemen-road-festivalTshepo Mokoena2015-03-02T16:00:54ZMadonna announces Rebel Heart tour dateshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/madonna-announces-rebel-heart-tour-dates-uk-december
<p>Singer releases details of plan to play four UK arena shows in December this year to promote her album<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/madonna-announces-rebel-heart-tour-dates-uk-december">Continue reading...</a>MadonnaMusicPop and rockCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 10:06:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/madonna-announces-rebel-heart-tour-dates-uk-decemberGuardian music2015-03-02T10:06:26ZBrownstone's Charmayne Maxwell dies, aged 46http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/brownstones-charmayne-maxwell-dies-aged-46
<p>R&amp;B singer killed in freak accident after falling at Los Angeles home, according to reports</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/brownstones-charmayne-maxwell-dies-aged-46">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockR&BCultureUrban musicMon, 02 Mar 2015 09:17:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/brownstones-charmayne-maxwell-dies-aged-46Guardian music2015-03-02T09:17:16ZThe Strokes to headline Hyde Park in Junehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/the-strokes-to-headline-hyde-park-in-june
<p>New York band are the latest headliners for the summer series of shows in London, joining Taylor Swift and Blur, among others</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/the-strokes-to-headline-hyde-park-in-june">Continue reading...</a>The StrokesMusicPop and rockPunkIndieFestivalsCultureMusic festivalsMon, 02 Mar 2015 08:41:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/the-strokes-to-headline-hyde-park-in-juneGuardian music2015-03-02T08:41:16ZKanye West announces album title: So Help Me Godhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/kanye-west-announces-album-title-so-help-me-god
<p>Rapper posts artwork of new album – which is likely to get a surprise release – on Twitter</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/kanye-west-announces-album-title-so-help-me-god">Continue reading...</a>Kanye WestMusicRapHip-hopPop and rockUrban musicCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 07:37:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/kanye-west-announces-album-title-so-help-me-godGuardian music2015-03-02T07:37:00ZSam Smith tops albums countdown as Brits performers storm the chartshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/sam-smith-tops-albums-brits-performers-storm-the-charts
<p>Artists who took to the stage last Wednesday see sales rise, with Royal Blood and Paloma Faith gaining the most benefit</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/sam-smith-tops-albums-brits-performers-storm-the-charts">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015UK chartsMusicPop and rockSam SmithPaloma FaithCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 20:19:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/sam-smith-tops-albums-brits-performers-storm-the-chartsGuardian Staff2015-03-01T20:19:36ZJoy Division fans fail in bid to save singer’s home for a museumhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/joy-division-late-singer-fans-ian-curtis-house-museum-macclesfield-new-order
The Macclesfield house where Ian Curtis took his life in 1980 is for sale but a campaign to buy it seems doomed <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/joy-division-late-singer-fans-ian-curtis-house-museum-macclesfield-new-order">Continue reading...</a>Joy DivisionMusicNew OrderManchesterGreater ManchesterUK newsSat, 28 Feb 2015 22:25:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/joy-division-late-singer-fans-ian-curtis-house-museum-macclesfield-new-orderPhotograph: Martin O'Neill/RedfernsIan Curtis on stage with Joy Division in 1979. Photograph: Martin O’Neill/RedfernsTracy McVeigh2015-02-28T22:25:27ZThe week in music: Scarlett Johansson's band, the woeful Brits and morehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brits-2015-madonna-scarlett-johansson-singles-kanye-zane-lowe
<p>Ten things in music this week, including Madonna’s big fall at the Brits, Kanye West crying on BBC Radio 1 and other titbits</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brits-2015-madonna-scarlett-johansson-singles-kanye-zane-lowe">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockKanye WestMadonnaBrit awardsBjorkR&BRapHip-hopUrban musicFri, 27 Feb 2015 14:09:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brits-2015-madonna-scarlett-johansson-singles-kanye-zane-loweTshepo Mokoena2015-02-27T14:09:02ZSuper Furry Animals return for first shows in six yearshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/super-furry-animals-return-for-first-shows-in-six-years
<p>As well as a handful of May tour dates, the group fronted by Gruff Rhys will reissue out-of-print Welsh-language album Mwng to mark anniversary year</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/super-furry-animals-return-for-first-shows-in-six-years">Continue reading...</a>Super Furry AnimalsIndieGruff RhysMusicPop and rockCultureWalesUK newsFri, 27 Feb 2015 12:34:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/super-furry-animals-return-for-first-shows-in-six-yearsGuardian music2015-02-27T12:34:17ZCourtney Love loses legal claim because she's not as famous as Marlon Brandohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/courtney-love-loses-legal-claim-not-as-famous-as-marlon-brando
<p>Singer fails in an attempt to get libel suit dismissed after claiming her fame meant her remarks about fashion designer were in the public interest</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/courtney-love-loses-legal-claim-not-as-famous-as-marlon-brando">Continue reading...</a>Courtney LoveMusicPop and rockLawCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 08:40:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/courtney-love-loses-legal-claim-not-as-famous-as-marlon-brandoGuardian music2015-02-27T08:40:34ZMadonna suffered whiplash after falling off the Brits stagehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/madonna-suffered-whiplash-falling-brits-stage-o2-armani-cape
<p>Star says Armani cape was tied too tight because choreographers did not want it to fall off, and denies it was a publicity stunt</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/madonna-suffered-whiplash-falling-brits-stage-o2-armani-cape">Continue reading...</a>MadonnaMusicCultureLondonUK newsO2Fri, 27 Feb 2015 08:37:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/madonna-suffered-whiplash-falling-brits-stage-o2-armani-capePress Association2015-02-27T08:37:29ZPaul McCartney's childhood home sells for £150,000http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/paul-mccartney-childhood-home-sells-for-150000
<p>Terraced house in Liverpool sold at auction for £50,000 more than its guide price</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/paul-mccartney-childhood-home-sells-for-150000">Continue reading...</a>Paul McCartneyMusicThe BeatlesLiverpoolPop and rockPropertyCultureMoneyFri, 27 Feb 2015 08:00:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/paul-mccartney-childhood-home-sells-for-150000AFP2015-02-27T08:00:57ZPaul McCartney's childhood home sold to mystery buyerhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/paul-mccartneys-childhood-home-sold-mystery-buyer
<p>Terraced house in Speke, Liverpool once occupied by ex-Beatle knocked down at auction for £150,000<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/paul-mccartneys-childhood-home-sold-mystery-buyer">Continue reading...</a>Paul McCartneyUK newsLiverpoolPropertyThu, 26 Feb 2015 23:34:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/paul-mccartneys-childhood-home-sold-mystery-buyerJamie Orme2015-02-26T23:34:14ZKanye West weeps in Zane Lowe interview, then apologises to Beck on Twitterhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kanye-west-tears-bbc-interview-zane-lowe
<p>Rapper is reduced to tears remembering fashion legend, then takes to Twitter to apologise to Grammy winner and to Bruno Mars</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kanye-west-tears-bbc-interview-zane-lowe">Continue reading...</a>Kanye WestRadio 1BBCRapMusicUrban musicCultureFashionHip-hopThu, 26 Feb 2015 22:33:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kanye-west-tears-bbc-interview-zane-loweAshley Clark2015-02-26T22:33:19ZRoyal Blood get biggest Brit awards sales boost, One Direction get the smallesthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brit-awards-2015-royal-blood-get-biggest-sales-boost-one-direction-smallest
<p>Two days on from the Brits and the trends are clear: perform and see interest swell, win but stay away and the fans won’t go shopping for you</p><p>There is a reason why the Brits happen in February: it is to jumpstart a sluggish recorded music market, at a time when buyers are staying away from music after the retail gluttony in the weeks running up to Christmas, when 20% of albums in the UK are sold. Just the sight of all those stars is meant to be enough to start shifiting their music all over again. </p><p>This year’s Brits drew 5.8m viewers, up 1.2m from 2014 – an oasis for an industry thirsting for TV coverage the rest of the year. Awards might pamper artists’ egos but record labels know that playing at the show is what really drives sales. <br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brit-awards-2015-royal-blood-get-biggest-sales-boost-one-direction-smallest">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Pop and rockCultureMusic industryRetail industryBrit awardsEd SheeranSam SmithPaloma FaithTake ThatMadonnaFoo FightersOne DirectionPharrell WilliamsMusicFri, 27 Feb 2015 10:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/brit-awards-2015-royal-blood-get-biggest-sales-boost-one-direction-smallestEamonn Forde2015-02-27T10:30:01ZMadonna falls, but it was the Brit awards that took a tumblehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/madonna-falls-but-it-was-the-brit-awards-that-took-a-tumble
<p>If the ceremony proved anything, it was that the Brit awards themselves are substantially less interesting than watching someone fall over </p><p>The instant Madonna hit the deck, you knew that was the only aspect of the Brits that people were going to be talking about the next day. <br /></p><p>What price the triumphs of Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith, or the deathless banter of Lewis Hamilton and Ellie Goulding, or even Jimmy Page dutifully saying “I hope you’re having a great night – I am!” while wearing an expression suggesting he’d rather have been having a sinus wash, when set against the sight of the most successful female artist of all time falling backwards down a flight of stairs? </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/26/madonna-superhuman-abuse-brit-awards-fall">Madonna is superhuman. She has to be to survive the ugly abuse | Bidisha</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/madonna-falls-but-it-was-the-brit-awards-that-took-a-tumble">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015MadonnaCulturePop and rockAwards and prizesBrit awardsWed, 25 Feb 2015 23:16:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/madonna-falls-but-it-was-the-brit-awards-that-took-a-tumbleAlexis Petridis2015-02-25T23:16:57ZBrit awards 2015: all the performances reviewed, from Kanye to Madonnahttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift
<p>It’s the starriest Brits for some time – but will Rihanna be missed? Will everyone play album tracks that no one knows? And will there be enough time for Kanye to do a rant? Here are all the performances rated and slated</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-ceremony-winners-live">The ceremony – as it happened</a> </li></ul><p>Rihanna mashed up with the Klaxons. Lemar and Jamelia covering Addicted to Love. B*Witched, Billie Piper, Cleopatra, Tina Cousins and Steps performing the music of Abba. The Brits is where the nation that brought you guitar-pop, grime and rave presents itself as a Butlins weekend curated by a panicked, time-poor aunt.</p><p>But this year it might be different. Finally aware it’s part of a hashtagging world stage, the Brits is booking some international big guns: Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Madonna. And it’s a year in which Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith are the two biggest solo males on the planet. We might finally get a proper slate of blue-chip pop! Bathetically introduced by Ant and Dec!</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMusicEd SheeranKanye WestMadonnaPaloma FaithTaylor SwiftCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 20:13:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swiftBen Beaumont-Thomas2015-02-25T20:13:04ZBrit awards 2015: the red carpet, ceremony and winners – as it happenedhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-ceremony-winners-live
<p>Join us for performances from Kanye West and Taylor Swift, red carpet fashion verdicts and a competition between Sam Smith and Ed Sheeran over who can win the most awards</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWTocA7RXfY">Watching outside the UK? Follow the live stream here</a><br></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-10-things-to-look-out-for">Brit awards 2015: 10 things to look out for</a> </li><li>Feeling social? Tweet <a href="http://twitter.com/timjonze">@timjonze</a>!</li></ul><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T23:00:22.803Z">11.00pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Madonna has commented on Madonna-gate</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:46:57.723Z">10.46pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hannah Ellis-Petersen has a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/sam-smith-scoops-two-awards-2015-brits">news report from the night</a> here. </p><p>We’ve still got the critical verdict from chief pop critic Alexis Petridis to come, along with more news and reaction, quite possibly all about Madonna falling off a stage.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:45:07.851Z">10.45pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Some Guardian reader reaction to the night’s talking point:</p><p>whether you like her or not, she has made some brilliant pop records and that was NOT one of them them but what a fucking pro to carry on &amp; not storm off</p><p>kudos to madge.</p><p>Credit to her professionalism in carrying on. She's had plenty mishaps on stage and will shrug it off - any press is better than none.</p><p>Was that the Fallen Madonna With The Big Boobies?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:33:52.265Z">10.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>According to this Tweeter, the cape was supposed to be pulled but should have just floated away ... instead it was still tied to Madonna’s neck. News editor Harriet Gibsone has just declared: “It’s been a shit show, Madonna’s comeback, hasn’t it?” </p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/timjonze">@timjonze</a> Wasn't a dancer who was the problem, Madge was supposed to undo the cape!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:30:14.830Z">10.30pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Brits is over but Ben Beaumont-Thomas is still on the critical pitch. He’s moved upfield, dribbling this Madonna review past one, two, three sub-editors, before unleashing it into the top corner of this live blog like the star reviewing striker he is …</p><p>Oh, didn’t think we’d get this after its Grammys outing. Madonna has suffered from Bjork syndrome of late: collaborating with the hottest talent, sometimes using multiple producers in a single track, but not joining the dots with songwriting. Living for Love, however, manages to blend a properly good chorus with the backing track, even if you can still very much see the seams.</p><p>Once again, the look is ‘bejewelled sex-toreador. She struts convincingly around the opening bars and then disaster: as her cape is yanked off she’s pulled off her podium and clatters to the floor! But as befits Madge, who has risen phoenix-like more times than anyone can remember, she’s a proper trooper and completes the song, though a little more muted than you might have otherwise expected. Many lesser performers would have missed an entire verse at such a nasty fall. Kudos! So that’s it. A pretty safe Brits, and arguably one that shows how conservative British pop is right now – but not without strong traditional songwriting. And it was positively vibe-strewn compared with the drably balladeering Grammys. Kanye was the high point by some chalk, taking the anger of Yeezus and ramping it up for the club, and cementing grime as the cloth that credible rappers love to drape themselves in. Now someone go get Madonna an ice pack.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:22:47.728Z">10.22pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Somewhere right now there’s a dancer desperately trying to look casual, pretending to help work out what happened, while knowing full well they had her cape caught in their watch strap. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:20:15.910Z">10.20pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>So was Madonna being dragged off-stage the revolution she promised us? Probably not. Although it’s hard to say for sure, because the Brits suddenly disappeared and turned into the ITV news before we had a chance to digest it …</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:15:25.651Z">10.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Madonna got pulled off the stage by someone grabbing her cape. She did it for me, didn’t she? She knew I was desperate for SOMETHING and she delivered. Thank you Madonna, still queen of pop and saviour of this year’s liveblog for falling over. </p><p>Is she injured? Or is that just her dancing? Whatever, she’s carrying on like the true pro she is. And yes, there’s already a Vine.</p><p>Remember that time Madonna fell over at the Brits? <a href="https://t.co/WGofnrKxLr">https://t.co/WGofnrKxLr</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:14:18.074Z">10.14pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>It’s time for Madonna! Can she save this year’s ceremony from being yet another borefest? She’s promising a “revolution” so things are looking up!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:08:53.722Z">10.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Or “multiply” if you’re saying it out loud (out loud – get it?) … Russell Crowe rumbles out the names of the nominees<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/ed-sheeran-wins-best-album-at-brit-awards-2015"> then hands Sheeran a statuette</a>. Sheeran says it’s “been a great night for British music”, then says success is not about the statue, it’s about the sales. </p><p>He concludes by saying: “It’s nice to meet you. Sick.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T22:01:56.419Z">10.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>It’s yet <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">more words from Ben Beaumont-Thomas</a>, music reviewing’s very own barista serving up critical coffee with a double shot of opinion. Here’s his take on Paloma Faith …</p><p>The brass sounds fatter than ever on what is easily Faith’s best song to date. Standing under what looks like the Barbican’s Rain Room installation, balletic dancers clench and unravel behind her as she kicks down the top notes with complete authority, black ink trailing down her arms. It has the makings of a songbook classic. The drama is completely destroyed in an instant though as she shouts out her management company literally a second after she finishes. The frustrating bind of industry-minded British pop summed up in a single moment.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:58:51.715Z">9.58pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>It was a public vote, so what did you expect? Simon Cowell turns up to collect it because the 1D boys are in Japan. Through the medium of Cowell, they tell us they want to thank their fans. Arrrgggghhhhhhmakethisstoppppppp!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:55:26.706Z">9.55pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ben Beaumont-Thomas is a critical surgeon, his scalpel carefully removing this Take That review from the twitching corpse that is the Brits.</p><p>Another one from the fag end of the man-band’s tax-dodging, Mumford-channelling blandly aspirational late period. When they came back with Patience, which began this style, they were genuinely uplifting because there was a note of humility and vulnerability – now twisted into the kind of thing to soundtrack the drive home from a successful afternoon at the ScS sale, they are among the most venal musicians in the UK. Jason did well to get out when he did.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:53:21.862Z">9.53pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>What more can we say about Ben Beaumont-Thomas? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">His Brits reviews</a> are an art form, this live blog the canvas on which he paints. Here’s his latest brushstroke, a perfect rendering of George Ezra: </p><p>In another year, Ezra could have been celebrating best British male, and this is a nice if unremarkable live arrangement of his ubiquitous hit. Dinky little organ chords ride along the rattling Mystery Train beat, as George sings the irresistible hook – it has the sense of being both meandering and determined that many great melodies share. Ezra’s success, and Royal Blood’s for that matter, might point to tastes tending towards more pared-back fare after a sonically glutted couple of years – suddenly Avicii and those infernal Take That blokes seem caught very much on the wrong side of the minimal/maximal divide.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:51:41.764Z">9.51pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/sam-smith-wins-british-breakthrough-act-at-brits-2015">Smith takes the prize</a> over Chvrches and FKA Twigs. He’s thanking everyone in the world, along with songwriter Jimmy Napes and his wife who is apparently “about to pop”. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:49:28.279Z">9.49pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>We might not have been able to hear what Kanye was rapping, but luckily we were smart enough to make sure we had a newshound in the event itself. Michael Hann reports: </p><p>I would tell you what Kanye’s rude words were, but it was all just a load of indecipherable shouting from in here.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:45:45.270Z">9.45pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Kanye West provides a Brits moment so credible they censored 70% of it </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:40:49.524Z">9.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ant and Dec just interviewed critics’ choice winner James Bay, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-goulding">whose Christmas card list I am sadly no longer on</a>. He says that if he can achieve half as much as Ellie Goulding then he’ll be delighted. You dream big, boy! </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:39:11.470Z">9.39pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ben Beaumont-Thomas is a critical ninja: instead of nunchuks he uses words, and those words are being hurled at Brits performances. Here’s his assault on Kanye West ...</p><p>It’s spot-the-British-rapper time with Kanye playing a turnt new track called All Day (a bit of which was leaked last year). Skepta gets a shout out fresh from his New York fashion week takeover, and I think they may have been joined by Jammer, Meridian Dan, Novelist, Krept and Konan, US trap king Fetty Wap … I can’t tell for sure. Perhaps he wanted to let grime-loving Drake know that he’s still the king of being up on obscure subcultural stuff. Anyway, it’s completely massive – between the blanked-out cussing (and a non-blanked N-word) Kanye rides a peppy club banger as giant flames crisscross above the all-black-everything crew. Taylor does her now-obligatory white-girl dancing. This could be the definitive huge single from the rapper’s new LP – and is quite a coup for the Brits.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:37:22.536Z">9.37pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>John Bishop presents the award to Dave Grohl, a sentence that gives me hope for the future of youth culture. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:34:02.555Z">9.34pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Lionel Richie has recovered from Kanye and is now presenting an award with Lisa Snowdon ... why the hell not, right? Mark Ronson wins the best single gong and thanks “the world’s most talented Hawaiian” which I presume is Bruno Mars but who knows what talented Hawaiian’s Ronson is in touch with. He might know a really great juggler. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:31:50.998Z">9.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Sometimes you have to reach out to our sunny Twitter users for an antidote to my cynical tone</p><p>This is the worst thing to ever happen to television. And we've seen <a href="https://twitter.com/keithchegwin">@keithchegwin</a>'s penis <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thebrits?src=hash">#thebrits</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:30:59.667Z">9.30pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Everytime I see this picture I wonder about what was being censored </p><p>Lionel Richie watching Kanye and thinking he may no longer understand music or the world. <a href="http://t.co/iQYdhoGhcX">pic.twitter.com/iQYdhoGhcX</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:29:28.712Z">9.29pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Howard Donald has taken over from Ellie Goulding as this year’s basher of drums. Last year it was Goulding who hit some drums. This year it’s Howard. Who could it be next year? Vote for your favourite in the comment section below, and I will be sure to completely ignore it. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:27:01.691Z">9.27pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ant and Dec seem to have left an important part of their charisma somewhere in a jungle in Australasia. And now for everyone’s favourite trio, Take That! </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:24:36.370Z">9.24pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Michael Hann has just interviewed Jimmy Page for the 714th time. Page apparently had no idea he was about to give the gong to Royal Blood: “It might have been One Direction. We could have had some fun with that,” said the Led Zeppelin man.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:18:49.813Z">9.18pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/pharrell-williams-wins-international-male-solo-artist-at-brit-awards-2015">Pharrell takes the prize!</a> But unfortunately he can not be here. But fortunately he does deliver a message via video. But unfortunately he doesn’t know if he’s worthy of the prize. But fortunately he appreciates our great nation for “turning Happy into what it’s become.” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:14:58.158Z">9.14pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Lionel Richie is in the crowd. </p><p>Lionel Richie watching Kanye and thinking he may no longer understand music or the world. <a href="http://t.co/iQYdhoGhcX">pic.twitter.com/iQYdhoGhcX</a></p><p>Brits do not know how to handle Kanye's music ahahahahaaha just mute the whole performance the persons finger is too slow</p><p>I love this Kanye song, “Muted Dinner Party Chat.” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/brits?src=hash">#brits</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:11:39.562Z">9.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Kim Kardashian is on-stage and you know what that means – she’s taking a selfie with the hosts! </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:11:13.424Z">9.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>BBT is still going. He is a critical engine, with Brits performances as his fuel. Here’s his take on Ed Sheeran ... </p><p>Fresh from being pretty much the best thing at the Grammys – which with its Annie Lennox performance actually out Brits’d the Brits – Sheeran plays his new Rudimental collabo for his homecoming. He goes completely stripped-back, using a loop pedal and acoustic guitar, and it’s his bread and butter – for all the Pharrell productions, it’s this immediacy that has paradoxically won him three sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium. As he batters his acoustic with his hands and blurs the strings, he’s set the bar high for Kanye for the most stirring performance of the evening. Also, as the only moon-faced ginger white man to have appeared on the cover of Vibe and convincingly cover OT Genasis, he can somehow get away with saying “faded” to mean drunk.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:09:33.054Z">9.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>And if there’s one thing I adore about pop music, it’s global success. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T21:01:16.325Z">9.01pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Just think, Ed Sheeran is going to be doing this for three nights at Wembley Stadium! FX pedal loops and winsome ballads, what a combo … people are actually grimacing with discomfort in the office ... apart from Ben Beaumont-Thomas, who took his headphones off, turned around all excited and said: “That was brilliant … what?” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:59:34.827Z">8.59pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Sometimes you have to reach out to our sunny readers for an antidote to my cynical tone </p><p>Words have failed me ... what a disaster of a show</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:57:15.633Z">8.57pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>If you’ve been enjoying Ben Beaumont-Thomas’s reviews of the live shows you can catch all of them together in one place here </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">Brit awards 2015: all the performances reviewed, from Kanye to Madonna</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:53:20.120Z">8.53pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Mark Ronson presents the award to the star. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/paloma-faith-wins-best-british-female-solo-artist-at-brit-awards-2015">The third time she’s been nominated, but the first time she’s won</a>. She’s crying, I think. Or maybe it’s a Sam Smith cover. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:51:53.650Z">8.51pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Real talk from Simon Cowell, who is being interviewed by Ant and Dec. He says he fantasises about buzzing some of the performances off with a red button! I hear you, mate. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:50:47.733Z">8.50pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ben Beaumont-Thomas? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">He does not stop. </a>If music reviewing was a gym, then he wouldn’t have left the treadmill all night. Here is the product of his critical sweat, a review of the Royal Blood performance:</p><p>Fresh from the their best British group win, the two lads play their big single, and it still has the air of something you’re really pleased with being able to play on Guitar Hero but don’t necessarily want to listen to. Still, it’s stripped back and palate-cleansing , and has a hint of funk in the choppy rhythm stabs before the headbanging finale which lift it slightly above bland proficiency. Personally, I prefer them when they dial up their math-rock vibes. “That was pwoper!” opines Ant.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:49:04.150Z">8.49pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here is the Ant and Dec on a plate moment. I didn’t realise at the time that this would still be the night’s biggest talking point 50 minutes later </p><p>im a celebrity get me out of here <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRITs2015?src=hash">#BRITs2015</a> <a href="http://t.co/81jwCa24uV">pic.twitter.com/81jwCa24uV</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:48:25.759Z">8.48pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ben Beaumont-Thomas has a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">review of Sam Smith’s performance</a> for you, freshly baked out of his critical kitchen …</p><p>Cultivating facial hair that’s somewhere between Miami porn star and working men’s club doorman, Sam trots out a note-perfect ballad about – guess what? – asking if someone will at least pretend to love him. The plodding Somewhere Like You piano chords give him plenty of room for melisma as a pyramid string section does some simple simpering. With every neatly-parcelled delivery of emotion, the guy who sang La La La, Latch and Money on My Mind – who could have been a properly rounded pop star – veers towards a Heart FM ghetto. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:44:27.992Z">8.44pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ignore that last update, Ant and Dec have just informed us that Royal Blood was “proper”. And talking of proper, now for a live interview with Ellie Goulding, who is worried that her dress looks like a wedding dress. Because she’s marrying Lewis, you see … *Insert 12 seconds of awkward silence here.*</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:42:50.390Z">8.42pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Royal Blood are on. It’s rock music, in a year without much rock music. But <em>is</em> it rock music? Let’s face it, it doesn’t exactly rock. It’s all so polite and polished.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:37:57.985Z">8.37pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Lewis Hamilton and Ellie Goulding, who took exception to me <a href="https://twitter.com/elliegoulding/status/570219508490752000">including her as a non-controversial pop star</a> earlier this week in <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-goulding">this piece</a>, present the award to the star. They do so after possibly the worst bit of Brits banter in the history of the show, which is certainly saying something. It seemed to involve a combination of dead air and some stifled chat about how Ellie and Lewis are getting married. Both looked mortified about it, even as it was happening. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:35:03.279Z">8.35pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Enjoyed Morwenna Ferrier’s fashion verdicts earlier? Thought they were better than the actual Brits coverage provided by me? Oh, you all did? Cheers mates. Well here’s a full gallery of it for you to look at.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-hits-and-misses">Brit awards 2015: red carpet hits and misses</a> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:33:27.481Z">8.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Michael Hann has met and interviewed Jimmy Page 713 times in the last 12 months, and has some hot insider gossip for us …</p><p>Every time I have met Jimmy Page he has been wearing those clothes.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:28:13.419Z">8.28pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ant and Dec are a bit too likable for this. Bring back Corden so I can get irrationally angry please! </p><p>The Geordie duo’s interview with Ed Sheeran has revealed … well, what has it revealed? Mainly that Ed Sheeran is the man with the stats: “Thank you for returning to present after 14 years,” says the man with the award to the hosts. This kind of homework clearly pays off. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:24:13.084Z">8.24pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Sam Smith is going to cry! I mean, perform! Although it’s kind of the same thing with Smith isn’t it? </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:22:30.618Z">8.22pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The Brighton duo fond of <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/royal-blood-win-best-british-group-at-brit-awards-2015">a bit of Topshop garage rock win it</a>! They meet Jimmy Page on-stage to collect it and say: “I suppose we’re expected to give a speech now …” </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:17:40.423Z">8.17pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ben Beaumont-Thomas is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-performances-reviewed-kanye-to-taylor-swift">reviewing EVERY performance tonight</a>, perhaps because someone at the Guardian has clocked that all I actually do is get slightly drunk at my desk and write poorly constructed jokes. Anyway, here’s his first review already!</p><p>For perhaps the first time in her career, Taylor is introduced by a pair of Geordies and Marco Pierre White. Blank Space is her bunny-boiler anthem where she doesn’t entirely convince us she’s driven insane by lust into courting a series of players – and its minimalist verses make for a rather tempered, non-bombastic opener. She does a perfectly pleasant vocal performance held aloft by big backing vox and strummed guitars. Her dancers, meanwhile, channel perhaps the greatest awards show routine of all time, <a href="https://vimeo.com/83252099">Chris Brown’s 2007 MTV</a> routine.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:14:03.122Z">8.14pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/ed-sheeran-wins-best-british-male-solo-artist-at-brit-awards-2015">Sheeran takes the prize</a>, presented by Rita Ora, Orlando Bloom and some terrible banter! It’s 1-0 to Ed in the exciting Smith v Sheeran battle that everyone is excited about tonight. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:12:40.374Z">8.12pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Michael Hann reports live from the event itself: </p><p>Taylor was preceded by a display of faux waitery that involved a man pouring chocolate sauce over a semi naked woman six feet from us. Brits didn’t get the memo about objectifying women.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:10:14.955Z">8.10pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ant and Dec are no longer part of a meal. Which is a relief. Instead they’re talking about the exciting things to come: Ed Sheeran! Sam Smith! George Ezzzz … and KANYE WEST!!! Come on Kanye, a lot is resting on you to make tonight at least vaguely interesting …</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:07:17.355Z">8.07pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Taylor is doing Blank Space with a monochrome-backdrop theme. Guardian music’s Tshepo Mokoena said she sounded like she had lost her voice on the red carpet earlier, and it doesn’t sound too strong now although she’s just about holding it together. I’m still trying to work out why Ant and Dec were served up as a meal two minutes ago. But maybe I should just let that one go. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T20:04:39.513Z">8.04pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Things are starting with … a skit. Ant and Dec, Marco Pierre White, Paloma Faith start off in some kind of kitchen before, erm, things move swiftly to a live dance-off at the Brits themselves. The theme is still, for some reason, food. “This is very Eurovision,” says Guardian music’s Harriet Gibsone. I can think of some other words that I won’t type just now. And then Ant and Dec arrive as the main course of someone’s meal. I realise if you’re not watching this it will sound bonkers. And now Taylor Swift!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:58:05.930Z">7.58pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The really great news for everyone reading tonight, especially those who like their fashion choices to be sponsored by Mastercard, is that there are still Brits hoodies available if you make it down to the O2 sharpish! Don’t worry you can still follow this blog on mobile platforms!</p><p>Here to see the Brits. Not sure about the merchandise to be honest <a href="http://t.co/zgRbdivKL9">pic.twitter.com/zgRbdivKL9</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:51:37.048Z">7.51pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Only ten minutes to go until the biggest night of your
<strike>
life year week
</strike>Wednesday. You’re stuck with me, Tim Jonze, for the next two and a half hours. So, to get you in the mood for a night of death-thrill rock’n’roll action … here’s a selfie of Fearne Cotton with James Bay!!!!</p><p>Thanks so much <a href="https://twitter.com/JamesBayMusic">@JamesBayMusic</a> and have an amazing night at your Brits tonight! ( WITH your award!) <a href="http://t.co/x94gR8SmNH">pic.twitter.com/x94gR8SmNH</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:41:55.015Z">7.41pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>I’ll hand you over to Tim Jonze, my colleague, and leave you with this contextless tweet from Oasis’ Bonehead, which pretty much sums up the sartorial flair displayed tonight. </p><p><a href="http://t.co/cBWX110BBD">pic.twitter.com/cBWX110BBD</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:40:14.797Z">7.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:40:12.604Z">7.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>OK, that’s it from Guardian fashion. A lot of monochrome. A lot of crap. A few posh gowns. Slim pickings on the red carpet, to be honest, but what can you do.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:37:37.927Z">7.37pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Quite into Muz’s clutch. Massively not into her Kim Kardashian-style, satin-y tuxedo dress. From the bottom up, Labrinth looks mostly brilliant: pink socks (very Sibling autumn/winter 2015). Great double-breasted tuxedo (very Mr Porter). Great Oliver Peoples-style glasses. LOL at that hat though, pal.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:33:15.167Z">7.33pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Good to see Rita Ora on true, wallflower form. As a rule, never trust anyone who matches their hair to their ugly, plunging neckline, beaded gown. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:31:37.382Z">7.31pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Well someone’s thrilled to be here. WELCOME, JANELLE, WELCOME! Monochrome, again; I smell a trend. </p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:26:45.197Z">7.26pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Welcome to Snoresville, UK! Obviously you can’t go wrong with an LBD and black trouser suit, as shown here on Mel C and Emma B, but christ that’s some dull styling.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:23:37.513Z">7.23pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here they are, the gruesome twosome, the fair pair. Nope, none of that works. They’re wisely playing it safe with dark, demi-shiny suits and some extraordinary facial expressions.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:20:54.344Z">7.20pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Optimistically sheer, Ellie, and that look suggests you know it, too. AWK.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:15:44.183Z">7.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Sorry, we just remembered Lewis Hamilton’s outfit. Very, very troubling stuff there. Very.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:15:10.851Z">7.15pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>We’ve just found out that Kanye West is in Nando’s. We don’t know which branch, but we can confirm that he looks pretty mis.</p><p>Kanye in <a href="https://twitter.com/NandosUK">@NandosUK</a> before the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BRITAwards?src=hash">#BRITAwards</a>. Probably announcing that he's peri peri excited to be performing. <a href="http://t.co/pWaJtw7wh1">pic.twitter.com/pWaJtw7wh1</a></p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:11:56.665Z">7.11pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Good grief, what’s going on here, Lewis? Are you wearing a military jacket, too-long gold chain and Justin Bieber’s trousers? You are, aren’t you.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:09:17.946Z">7.09pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>#sammania</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T19:08:00.043Z">7.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>The big gun has arrived: it’s Taylor Swift, ready to wipe the floor with her tunes, height and this very kung fu Valentino-y dress, which is great if a little OTT for the Brits. (Aside: has she dislocated her left arm? We’re asking out of genuine concern.)</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:58:41.304Z">6.58pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Alright, FINE, he looks OK – even if he is simultaneously working 17 trends: denim, one-button blazer, posh hi-tops, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/feb/20/kim-jong-un-defies-gravity-itself-with-new-haircut">Kim Jong-Un</a> hair.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:56:53.913Z">6.56pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hi Orlando. You lost, babes?</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:54:19.059Z">6.54pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Here’s Grace Chatto from Clean Bandit, who’s come as a matador. Madonna’s going to go ballistic.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:50:42.645Z">6.50pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hi, FKA Twigs. See, you’ve decided to mix things up with a bra-top and your chola-style hair. Yep, yep, if it ain’t broke, gotcha.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:46:19.924Z">6.46pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>To be fair, she’s actually pretty on-trend, what with the unisex DKNY vibes. We should probably take that last comment back, but we won’t! Have a fun night, Cara. Don’t lose your hat (please lose your hat).</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:42:55.142Z">6.42pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>OK, actual Fashion is here. It’s model Cara Delevingne, fresh from the London fashion week FROW, who has dressed as Kasabian.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:40:28.380Z">6.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>#sammania</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:40:19.077Z">6.40pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>It’s Sam Smith! Everyone loves Sam Smith. <em>Everyone</em>. In a pretty canny styling move, he’s gone for a royal blue suit, which is what Eddie ‘Redmaynia’ Redmayne wore to all the film awards – and he won everything. Does ‘Sammania’ work? It sounds like a planet. Oh well, we’ll make it happen.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:35:08.969Z">6.35pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Relax, fans, Fashion’s arrived. Here’s Paloma Faith in a strapless, red-sequin gown and some pretty epic face shimmer. I think she wants you to look at her tattoos, so I’ll let you gaze at them for a bit while I see who else is on the red carpet.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:32:16.000Z">6.32pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Pretty sure he wore this last year … Poor lamb hasn’t got a clue.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:29:47.446Z">6.29pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Ed Sheeran is the richest man in pop music. We know this because he’s wearing trainers with his suit, which is what Elton John does – and that man is <em>gilded</em>.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:20:02.184Z">6.20pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>With that in mind here is Ed Sheeran.</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:19:12.992Z">6.19pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hello! Guardian fashion here, ready to analyse who is wearing what and <em>why</em>. Yes, this is a music event, but anything worn in the vicinity of a red carpet qualifies for criticism and analysis, so here I am!</p><p class="block-time published-time"> <time datetime="2015-02-25T18:08:27.181Z">6.08pm <span class="timezone">GMT</span></time> </p><p>Hard to believe, I know, but it’s been a whole year and six days since the last Brit awards! And yet it only feels like yesterday when … umm … errr … OK, remind me again what actually happened at last year’s Brits? Oh, you can’t remember either? </p><p>Well, according to our <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/19/brit-awards-2014-red-carpet-and-build-up-live">2014 live blog</a>, Ellie Goulding banged some drums, Bastille won an award and Alex Turner made a drunken speech then dropped his microphone. Crazy times! </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-ceremony-winners-live">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsPop and rockSam SmithEd SheeranTaylor SwiftKanye WestCultureMusicAwards and prizesWed, 25 Feb 2015 23:08:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-ceremony-winners-liveTim Jonze and Morwenna Ferrier2015-02-25T23:08:16ZMadonna falls off stage during Brit awards - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-off-stage-falling-brit-awards-video
Madonna fell backwards down several steps during her televised Brit Awards performance. The singer was performing her new single Living for Love when the cape she was wearing appeared to get caught up in one of her dancers, causing the singer to tumble backwards. The 56 year-old brushes herself off and continues with the rest of her song <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-off-stage-falling-brit-awards-video">Continue reading...</a>Brit awardsCultureMadonnaWorld newsUK newsMusicThu, 26 Feb 2015 01:45:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-off-stage-falling-brit-awards-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-26T01:45:21ZPoptastic! … the 2015 Brit award winners – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/poptastic-the-2015-brit-award-winners-in-pictures
<p>There was more to the Brits than Madonna’s misstep. Here’s a look at the night’s winners – from a strutting Taylor Swift to a glitzy Mark Ronson – taking to the stage</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/poptastic-the-2015-brit-award-winners-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsCultureMusicPop and rockAwards and prizesWed, 25 Feb 2015 23:43:19 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/poptastic-the-2015-brit-award-winners-in-picturesGuardian Staff2015-02-25T23:43:19ZMadonna falls over at Brit awards and six more spectacular stage tumbleshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-over-at-brits-awards-and-six-more-spectacular-stage-tumbles
<p>The Queen of Pop has fallen into a crowded pool that includes repeat Oscars offender Jennifer Lawrence and even the dark prince of cool, Nick Cave</p><p>Poor Madonna. Her first performance at the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/britawards">Brit awards</a> in 20 years and she marked it with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/madonna-falls-but-it-was-the-brit-awards-that-took-a-tumble">a truly stunning tumble</a>. To her credit, the 56-year-old musician smoothly dusted herself off and carried on, proving that nothing fazes a genuine entertainment veteran.</p><p>The Queen of Pop is human after all – if you prick her does she not bleed? If her cape fails to untie, will she not tumble down the stairs like a baby in roller skates? Unscripted mishaps are often the highlight of an awards show – if not the entire tedious awards season – offering a peek beneath the bonnet of what is usually such a well-oiled machine. So this list is for Madonna and all those entertainers forced into stilettos or strappy dresses or too-skinny jeans for the sake of art when really they’re just a recipe for a face plant.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-over-at-brits-awards-and-six-more-spectacular-stage-tumbles">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMadonnaCultureAwards and prizesFilmCelebrityIggy AzaleaNick CavePop and rockJennifer LawrenceNaomi CampbellMusicThu, 26 Feb 2015 03:00:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-over-at-brits-awards-and-six-more-spectacular-stage-tumblesMonica Tan2015-02-26T03:00:44ZKanye West debuts new track All Day at the Brit awards 2015http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/kanye-west-debuts-new-track-all-day-at-the-brit-awards-2015
<p>The rapper was introduced by his wife Kim Kardashian, and then joined by UK grime acts including Skepta, Jammer and Novelist for a heavily bleeped performance<br></p><p>Kanye West premiered a brand new song entitled All Day at the Brit awards 2015. </p><p>Introduced by his wife Kim Kardashian, West brought on stage an army of men, including UK grime artists Skepta, Krept and Konan, Jammer and Novelist, as well as two massive flame throwers.</p><p>SOOOO BASICALLY I JUST SAW KANYE GETTING A CHEEKY NANDOS <a href="http://t.co/nuyi8KG3qX">pic.twitter.com/nuyi8KG3qX</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/kanye-west-debuts-new-track-all-day-at-the-brit-awards-2015">Continue reading...</a>Kanye WestBrit Awards 2015MusicCultureRapWed, 25 Feb 2015 21:57:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/kanye-west-debuts-new-track-all-day-at-the-brit-awards-2015Guardian music2015-02-25T21:57:07ZRoyal Blood win best British group at Brit awards 2015http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/royal-blood-win-best-british-group-at-brit-awards-2015
<p>Hard rock duo secure gong after a busy week of winning awards, off the back of their self-titled No 1 album</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-red-carpet-ceremony-winners-live">Follow rolling coverage of the ceremony on our live blog</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/brit-awards-2015">See the rest of our Brit awards 2015 coverage here</a></li></ul><p>Royal Blood –<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-10-things-to-look-out-for"> as predicted by the Guardian</a> – have won the best British group award at this year’s Brits. “This is a huge surprise for us - it’s probably more of a surprise for people here as you probably don’t know who we are,” said the band’s Mike Kerr. It completes a startlingly successful seven days for the hard rock duo, who last week won the best new band and best live band prizes at the NME awards. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/aug/21/royal-blood-rocknroll-live-shows">Royal Blood – rock’n’roll where it counts</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/royal-blood-win-best-british-group-at-brit-awards-2015">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Pop and rockBrit awardsMusicCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 20:22:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/royal-blood-win-best-british-group-at-brit-awards-2015Michael Hann2015-02-25T20:22:18ZBrit Awards 2015: the ceremonies since 1977 – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-the-ceremonies-since-1977-in-pictures
<p>From Michael Aspel’s comfy pullover at the first awards, to Geri Halliwell’s inflatable spread legs – here’s a visual history of the Brits</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-the-ceremonies-since-1977-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMusicCulturePop and rockWed, 25 Feb 2015 13:08:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-the-ceremonies-since-1977-in-picturesGuardian music2015-02-25T13:08:46ZBrit awards 2015: Rumer, Huey Morgan, Jessie Ware and more predict winnershttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-rumer-huey-morgan-jessie-ware-and-more-predict-winners
<p>Our panel of past nominees, including Kate Nash and Marvin Humes, discuss the good, the bad and the terminally boring at this year’s Brits</p><p><strong>Huey Morgan</strong> (nominated for international breakthrough act in 1997 with Fun Lovin’ Criminals)<br /><strong>Kate Nash</strong> (won British female solo artist in 2008)<br /><strong>Marvin Humes</strong> (won British breakthrough act and British single in 2010 with JLS)<br /><strong>Rumer</strong> (nominated for British breakthrough act and British female solo artist in 2011)<br /><strong>Jessie Ware</strong> (nominated this year for British female solo artist)</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-rumer-huey-morgan-jessie-ware-and-more-predict-winners">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMusicPop and rockCultureRumerKate NashJessie WareJLSAwards and prizesWed, 25 Feb 2015 07:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-rumer-huey-morgan-jessie-ware-and-more-predict-winnersTim Jonze2015-02-25T07:00:03ZIs new music killing the record industry?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/is-new-music-killing-music-industry
<p>As Brit award nominations show, the music industry has chosen to counter declining sales by pouring money into new acts, most of whom never make it. But the key to success may be a return to the old-fashion model of nurturing talent</p><p>New music will dominate proceedings at the Brit awards on 25 February, as it does radio playlists and newspaper and magazine websites. As well monopolising nominations for British breakthrough act and the critics’ choice, both aimed squarely at new acts, debut album makers – Sam Smith, Royal Blood, George Ezra, FKA twigs, Ella Henderson and Clean Bandit – feature heavily as contenders for the main awards. But does the relentless focus on finding the next big thing make any kind of sense for the embattled recorded-music business? </p><p>Despite declining revenues, the record industry’s investment in new talent – what would in other businesses be classified as “research and development” – is vast. In 2013, <a href="http://www.bpi.co.uk/facts-figures.aspx">according to the British Phonographic Industry</a> (BPI), British labels invested &pound;149m in A&amp;R – approximately 21% of the industry’s total revenues. An almost identical sum was spent on marketing. By contrast, Italian defence company Finmeccanica is considered exceptional in its field because it invests 10% in R&amp;D; and in the automobile industry, no company spends more than 6.5%.</p><p>In an age of unlimited choice, do you bet big or bet small?</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/is-new-music-killing-music-industry">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Music industryPop and rockBrit awardsMusicBombay Bicycle ClubCultureSpotifyTue, 24 Feb 2015 11:47:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/is-new-music-killing-music-industryAngus Batey2015-02-24T11:47:24ZIf James Bay is getting a Brit award, is it time for us to shout ‘not in my name’?http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-goulding
Mainstream pop is currently filled with the most depressingly bland pop stars in living memory. Adele is practically Extreme Noise Terror compared with Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding<p>It’s been a week marked by media scandal,&nbsp;a scandal that goes straight to the&nbsp;heart of&nbsp;the establishment. So let’s take a moment to study the facts and ask: why <em>are</em> a bunch of music journalists&nbsp;giving James Bay a Brit award on&nbsp;Wednesday night?</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/15/james-bay-koko-london-review-kitty-empire">James Bay review – balladeering by numbers</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/15/the-brit-awards-2015-more-thumping-inevitability-at-pops-joyless-office-party">The Brit awards 2015: more thumping inevitability at pop's joyless office party</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-goulding">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Pop and rockMusicCultureBrit awardsAwards and prizesTue, 24 Feb 2015 07:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-gouldingTim Jonze2015-02-24T07:00:03ZBrits greatest hits: the inside storyhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/brits-greatest-hits-inside-story-brit-awards
<p>The Brit awards are back on 25 February, hosted by Ant and Dec with performances by Madonna and Sam Smith. Former hosts and stars on the highs and lows of the past 35 years</p><p>You can spend the whole year preparing for the Brit awards: booking the hottest acts, securing enough rehearsal time, making sure all the right bigwigs are invited. Then you turn up and there’s not enough booze, the live acts are deafening the guests and the deputy prime minister is calling you into his office for a dressing-down.</p><p>The Brits might have a reputation for being terminally uncool, but even the best-planned ceremonies have a habit of going awry. We spoke to some of the ceremony’s major players to find out what it’s really like behind the scenes … and how Stevie Nicks’s hairdryer once saved the day.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/15/the-brit-awards-2015-more-thumping-inevitability-at-pops-joyless-office-party">The Brit awards 2015: more thumping inevitability at pop's joyless office party</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/brits-greatest-hits-inside-story-brit-awards">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015CultureBrit awardsMusicAwards and prizesTelevisionMichael JacksonPop and rockBritpopFleetwood MacStevie NicksAdeleMathew HorneGorillazPaul McCartneySun, 22 Feb 2015 19:36:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/brits-greatest-hits-inside-story-brit-awardsInterviews by Eamonn Forde2015-02-22T19:36:06ZBBCSSO/Pintscher review – atmospheric novelty plus a modernist swirlhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/bbcsso-matthias-pintscher-city-halls-glasgow-review
<strong>City Halls, Glasgow</strong><br />The composer/conductor Matthias Pintscher brought together works by three of his close friends – and a 20th-century titan <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/bbcsso-matthias-pintscher-city-halls-glasgow-review">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureBBC Scottish Symphony OrchestraMon, 02 Mar 2015 17:26:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/bbcsso-matthias-pintscher-city-halls-glasgow-reviewKate Molleson2015-03-02T17:26:25ZLe Roi de Lahore review – voluptuous drama in a fantasy orienthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/le-roi-de-lahore-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-review
<strong>Queen Elizabeth Hall, London</strong><br />Chelsea Opera Group deployed a strong cast for a revival of Massenet’s lavish opera not performed on the London stage for 135 years <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/le-roi-de-lahore-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-review">Continue reading...</a>OperaClassical musicMusicCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 15:25:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/le-roi-de-lahore-queen-elizabeth-hall-london-reviewGeorge Hall2015-03-02T15:25:46ZJazz for Labour review – musical luminaries wave the political flaghttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/jazz-for-labour-barbican-review
<p><strong>Barbican, London</strong><br>More than 30 stars, including Courtney Pine, Andy Sheppard and Claire Martin, gathered for a rousing three-hour extravaganza</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/jazz-for-labour-barbican-review">Continue reading...</a>JazzPoliticsLabourCultureMusicMon, 02 Mar 2015 15:21:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/jazz-for-labour-barbican-reviewJohn Fordham2015-03-02T15:21:57ZWolfgang Rihm Day review – stars come out for a master of dark delightshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/wolfgang-rihm-day-wigmore-hall-review
<strong>Wigmore Hall, London</strong><br />The Arditti Quartet and tenor Christoph Prégardien joined an outstanding celebration of one of music’s most prolific composers <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/wolfgang-rihm-day-wigmore-hall-review">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:52:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/wolfgang-rihm-day-wigmore-hall-reviewAndrew Clements2015-03-02T12:52:41ZLionel Richie review – hits and hilarity all night longhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/lionel-richie-o2-arena-review
<strong>O2 Arena, London</strong><br />With the stamina of a performer half his age, the veteran soul star swings between raucous R&amp;B and sweet ballads to the delight of an adoring crowd <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/lionel-richie-o2-arena-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureSoulMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:36:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/lionel-richie-o2-arena-reviewCaroline Sullivan2015-03-02T12:36:16ZHallé/Feddeck review – last-minute replacements save the dayhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/halle-feddeck-review-bridgewater-hall-manchester
<strong>Bridgewater Hall, Manchester</strong><br />Violinist Henning Kraggerud and conductor James Feddeck step in to salvage concert with style and steel <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/halle-feddeck-review-bridgewater-hall-manchester">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureHallé OrchestraSun, 01 Mar 2015 16:46:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/halle-feddeck-review-bridgewater-hall-manchesterPhotograph: Russell Hart/PRHurtling … the Hallé. Photograph: Russell HartAlfred Hickling2015-03-01T16:46:12ZLondon Sinfonietta/De Ridder review – one of their best performances in yearshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/london-sinfonietta-de-ridder-review-mica-levi
<strong>Purcell Room. London</strong><br />The young audience clearly infected the players with their open-eared enthusiasm <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/london-sinfonietta-de-ridder-review-mica-levi">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicThe London SinfoniettaUnder The SkinMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 15:27:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/london-sinfonietta-de-ridder-review-mica-leviPhotograph: PRImpressive … Mica Levi.Guy Dammann2015-03-01T15:27:00ZMadam Butterfly review – Puccini’s tragedy hits home hardhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/madam-butterfly-review-royal-albert-hall-london
<strong>Royal Albert Hall, London</strong><br />With a Japanese water garden and a see-through marital home, this production excels in a challenging space <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/madam-butterfly-review-royal-albert-hall-london">Continue reading...</a>OperaClassical musicMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 14:06:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/madam-butterfly-review-royal-albert-hall-londonPhotograph: Tristram Kenton/ Tristram KentonSheer lyric beauty … James Edwards and Nam-Young Kim in Madam Butterfly. Photograph: Tristram KentonGeorge Hall2015-03-01T14:06:45ZYears & Years review – a charming work in progresshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/years-and-years-birmingham-institute-live-review-killian-fox
<strong>The Institute, Birmingham</strong><br />BBC award-winners Years &amp; Years hit the road with big choruses and Olly Alexander’s one-man charm offensive <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/years-and-years-birmingham-institute-live-review-killian-fox">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:30:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/years-and-years-birmingham-institute-live-review-killian-foxKillian Fox2015-03-01T08:30:03ZThe Indian Queen; Lisa Batiashvili and Paul Lewis – reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/the-indian-queen-review-peter-sellars-purcell-eno-observer-lisa-batiashvili-paul-lewis
<strong>Coliseum; Wigmore Hall, London</strong><br />Peter Sellars spins unfinished Purcell into a Mayan extravaganza that delights and irks <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/the-indian-queen-review-peter-sellars-purcell-eno-observer-lisa-batiashvili-paul-lewis">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureEnglish National Opera (ENO)Sun, 01 Mar 2015 07:00:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/the-indian-queen-review-peter-sellars-purcell-eno-observer-lisa-batiashvili-paul-lewisFiona Maddocks2015-03-01T07:00:16ZCBSO/Nelsons review – every tangled strand of their instrumental writing was teased outhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/nelsons-cbso-birmingham-review
<p><strong>Symphony Hall, Birmingham</strong><br>The conductor’s sense of line through the slow movement was immaculate, and his control of the huge finale unfaltering</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/nelsons-cbso-birmingham-review">Continue reading...</a>Andris NelsonsClassical musicMusicCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 17:30:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/nelsons-cbso-birmingham-reviewAndrew Clements2015-02-27T17:30:55ZOlafur Arnalds Plays Broadchurch review – a masterclass in musical tensionhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/olafur-arnalds-play-broadchurch-review-masterclass-in-musical-tension
<strong>ABC, Glasgow</strong><br />Arnalds’s melancholic soundtrack to the hit ITV series is even more ominous when not interrupted by ad breaks <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/olafur-arnalds-play-broadchurch-review-masterclass-in-musical-tension">Continue reading...</a>MusicClassical musicPop and rockBroadchurchCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:33:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/olafur-arnalds-play-broadchurch-review-masterclass-in-musical-tensionGraeme Virtue2015-02-26T16:33:13ZBournemouth SO/Karabits review – muscular, engrossing Pendereckihttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/bournemouth-symphony-orchestra-karabits-review-penderecki
<strong>Lighthouse, Poole</strong><br />It may not be a feelgood work, but Penderecki’s Fourth Symphony was savoured by conductor and orchestra, framed by taut, alert Beethoven <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/bournemouth-symphony-orchestra-karabits-review-penderecki">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 14:46:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/bournemouth-symphony-orchestra-karabits-review-pendereckiAndrew Clements2015-02-26T14:46:48ZIvo Pogorelich review – a wretched, profoundly unmusical affairhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/ivo-pogorelich-royal-festival-hall-london-review
<p><strong>Royal Festival Hall, London</strong><br>After a difficult period in his life, the return of the Croatian pianist was not of a standard that should be expected in an international piano series</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/ivo-pogorelich-royal-festival-hall-london-review">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureFestivalsWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:59:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/ivo-pogorelich-royal-festival-hall-london-reviewAndrew Clements2015-02-25T16:59:23ZThe Songbook review – singing, screaming and solemnityhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-songbook-review-bcmg-wigmore-hall-gillian-keith-jonathan-berman
<p><strong>Wigmore Hall, London </strong><br>These contemporary works varied in style and quality but BCMG and sopranos Gillian Keith and Rebecca von Lipinski tackled them in style</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-songbook-review-bcmg-wigmore-hall-gillian-keith-jonathan-berman">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:53:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/the-songbook-review-bcmg-wigmore-hall-gillian-keith-jonathan-bermanGeorge Hall2015-02-25T16:53:25ZSonghoy Blues review – exuberant African R&Bhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/songhoy-blues-review-barfly-london
<p><strong>Barfly, London</strong><br>This furious young four-piece take the legendary sound of fellow Malian Ali Farka Touré and launch it into a new dimension<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/songhoy-blues-review-barfly-london">Continue reading...</a>World musicCultureMusicWed, 25 Feb 2015 16:37:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/songhoy-blues-review-barfly-londonRobin Denselow2015-02-25T16:37:31ZNoel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Chasing Yesterday review - unready for takeoffhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-review
For all his lofty talk of ‘space jazz’, Noel Gallagher’s latest album operates very much within earthly bounds<p>Last October, Noel Gallagher’s second solo album was announced via a Facebook Q&amp;A with fans. As ever in interviews, the elder Gallagher was on fine, bullish form, describing the recent reissue of Definitely Maybe as “money for old fucking rope”, dismissing the suggestion that he should give his new album away for free (“If anything I want to put the prices up”) and talking intriguingly about its contents. The phrase “space jazz” was mentioned; the presence of saxophones was alluded to; he expected audiences to be bamboozled. They might, he suggested, think: “Fucking hell, he’s gone insane, what’s he done there?”</p><p>It’s with these words ringing in your ears that you play Chasing Yesterday, and discover that the opening track, Riverman, commences with acoustic guitar chords to which you could happily sing Wonderwall and a lyrical reference to the Beatles: “Something in the way she moves drives me to distraction.” At this point, the listener expecting insanity and space jazz might well feel driven to distraction themselves: it’s hard to stop an involuntary groan springing from your&nbsp;lips. In fairness, Riverman does feature a saxophone, albeit a saxophone used in the most Noel Gallagherish manner imaginable – to make his song sound exactly like someone else’s. Gallagher has suggested the instrument’s presence should transport listeners back to “a smoky club in 1963”, but the moment on Riverman where the drums drop out, the guitar plays a gentle arpeggio and the sax starts blowing lazily seems more likely to transport them back to Abbey Road studios in 1975, at the precise moment when Pink Floyd were engaged in recording the bit, eleven and half minutes into Shine On You Crazy Diamond, where the drums drop out, the guitar plays a gentle arpeggio and the sax starts blowing lazily.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockNoel GallagherOasisDance musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 15:00:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-reviewPhotograph: /PRInconsistent … Noel Gallagher.Alexis Petridis2015-02-26T15:00:05ZSkrillex & Diplo Presents Jack Ü spreads itself too thin to work as an album – first listen reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/skrillex-diplo-presents-jack-u-spreads-album-first-listen-review
<p>On Thursday night, the dance superstars dropped a brand new collaborative album – but too much if it relies on a glaringly obvious formula</p><p>Midway through their 24 hour DJ set last night – which<a href="http://pitchfork.com/news/58648-skrillex-and-diplo-surprise-release-debut-jack-u-album/"> from the livestream</a> looked like the sort of club scene recreated in Hollyoaks – full-time aural activists and current dance music overlords Skrillex and Diplo announced they would be dropping their debut album as Jack &Uuml; on iTunes with immediate effect. After forming Jack &Uuml; as a DJing outlet for festivals back in September 2013, the pair started teasing out snippets of new music via radio mixes, culminating in their first single proper, the amazing Take &Uuml; There, featuring Kiesza. Its quality is cemented by the fact that it appears on Skrillex &amp; Diplo Presents Jack &Uuml; both in its original form and as a bowel-rupturing, ludicrously energising <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r89yS7-1Q8A">Missy Elliott remix</a>.</p><p>In fact, Take &Uuml; There, in both its incarnations, acts as a blessing and a curse. The perfect crystallisation of the pop nous that’s seen Diplo work with everyone from Madonna to Marina &amp; the Diamonds and the frenetic, here-comes-the-drop production style of Skrillex, its brilliance casts a shadow over the album’s other eight tracks. With both men utilising a production style that favours head-slamming heavy handedness, it feels almost accidental when they happen upon a proper song and not different elements careening into each other. Thankfully there are flashes here of lightning striking twice, notably on the relatively delicate <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKqY3N20ZzE">To &Uuml;</a>, which features a sweetly lost vocal by Aluna Francis from AlunaGeorge. Here the inevitable and almost comically signposted drop and bass wobble that tends to replace every chorus actually seems to work with and not against the other elements of the song, Francis’s soft croon of “How can I get back to you?” disintegrating into an instrumental that compliments what’s gone before. <br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/skrillex-diplo-presents-jack-u-spreads-album-first-listen-review">Continue reading...</a>SkrillexDiploMusicPop and rockElectronic musicDanceDance musicFri, 27 Feb 2015 11:41:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/skrillex-diplo-presents-jack-u-spreads-album-first-listen-reviewMichael Cragg2015-02-27T11:41:09ZNoel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds: Chasing Yesterday review – same-old, same-oldhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-review-same-old-same-old
(Sour Mash) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-review-same-old-same-old">Continue reading...</a>Noel GallagherPop and rockCultureMusicSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noel-gallagher-high-flying-birds-chasing-yesterday-review-same-old-same-oldKitty Empire2015-03-01T08:30:01ZPops Staples: Don’t Lose This review – spare and uncluttered blueshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pops-staples-dont-lose-this-review-spare-uncluttered-blues
(Anti-) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pops-staples-dont-lose-this-review-spare-uncluttered-blues">Continue reading...</a>BluesMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pops-staples-dont-lose-this-review-spare-uncluttered-bluesKitty Empire2015-03-01T08:00:11ZAsleep at the Wheel: Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys review – genial Texan magichttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/asleep-at-the-wheel-still-the-king-bob-wills-review-observer
(Proper) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/asleep-at-the-wheel-still-the-king-bob-wills-review-observer">Continue reading...</a>CountryMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/asleep-at-the-wheel-still-the-king-bob-wills-review-observerNeil Spencer2015-03-01T08:00:08ZMusic of the Realm: Tudor Music for Men’s Voices CD review – seamless blend and balancehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/music-of-the-realm-tudor-music-for-mens-voices-queens-six-cd-review-observer
The Queen’s Six<br />(Resonus) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/music-of-the-realm-tudor-music-for-mens-voices-queens-six-cd-review-observer">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/music-of-the-realm-tudor-music-for-mens-voices-queens-six-cd-review-observerStephen Pritchard2015-03-01T08:00:08ZPurity Ring: Another Eternity review – Canadian duo hone their dreamy ‘future pop’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/purity-ring-another-eternity-review-dreamy-future-pop
(4AD) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/purity-ring-another-eternity-review-dreamy-future-pop">Continue reading...</a>Electronic musicPop and rockMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/purity-ring-another-eternity-review-dreamy-future-popPhotograph: /PRPurity Ring: 'intelligent, confident'.Corinne Jones2015-03-01T08:00:04ZGhostpoet: Shedding Skin review – tentative hopes for happier timeshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-review-tentative-hopes-happier-times
(PIAS) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-review-tentative-hopes-happier-times">Continue reading...</a>GhostpoetElectronic musicHip-hopMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-review-tentative-hopes-happier-timesKillian Fox2015-03-01T08:00:02ZPete Oxley & Nicolas Meier: Chasing Tales review – ‘a gorgeous array of changing sounds’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pete-oxley-nicolas-meier-chasing-tales-review
(MGP) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pete-oxley-nicolas-meier-chasing-tales-review">Continue reading...</a>JazzMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/pete-oxley-nicolas-meier-chasing-tales-reviewPhotograph: PRPete Oxley & Nicolas Meier: 'masterly guitarists'.Dave Gelly2015-03-01T08:00:02ZKelly Clarkson: Piece By Piece review – laser-guided, heartfelt pophttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-review-laser-guided-heartfelt
(RCA) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-review-laser-guided-heartfelt">Continue reading...</a>Kelly ClarksonPop and rockMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-review-laser-guided-heartfeltMichael Cragg2015-03-01T08:00:01ZBeethoven: Piano Sonatas Vol 4 CD review – blazing, nimble and dangeroushttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/jonathan-biss-beethoven-piano-sonatas-volume-4-review-blazing-nimble-dangerous
Jonathan Biss (piano)<br />(JB Recordings) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/jonathan-biss-beethoven-piano-sonatas-volume-4-review-blazing-nimble-dangerous">Continue reading...</a>Ludwig van BeethovenClassical musicMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 08:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/jonathan-biss-beethoven-piano-sonatas-volume-4-review-blazing-nimble-dangerousFiona Maddocks2015-03-01T08:00:01ZSteven Wilson: Hand. Cannot. Erase review – sonic and spiritual modernityhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/steven-wilson-hand-cannot-erase-review
(Kscope) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/steven-wilson-hand-cannot-erase-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:50:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/steven-wilson-hand-cannot-erase-reviewDom Lawson2015-02-26T21:50:02ZPurity Ring: Another Eternity review – average alt-pop hybridhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/purity-ring-another-eternity-review
(4AD) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/purity-ring-another-eternity-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockIndieMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:44:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/purity-ring-another-eternity-reviewHarriet Gibsone2015-02-26T21:44:02ZGhostpoet: Shedding Skin review – new alt-rock territory grabs bigger ideashttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-review
PIAS <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-review">Continue reading...</a>GhostpoetIndieElectronic musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:40:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/ghostpoet-shedding-skin-reviewTshepo Mokoena2015-02-26T21:40:02ZKelly Clarkson: Piece By Piece review – one of pop’s most forceful voiceshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-review
(RCA) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockKelly ClarksonAmerican IdolMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:30:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/kelly-clarkson-piece-by-piece-reviewPhotograph: /PREmpowerment anthems … Kelly ClarksonCaroline Sullivan2015-02-26T21:30:02ZKeath Mead: Sunday Dinner – delightful if you don’t mind sweetnesshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/keith-mead-sunday-dinner-review
(Company) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/keith-mead-sunday-dinner-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:20:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/keith-mead-sunday-dinner-reviewMichael Hann2015-02-26T21:20:02ZTo Kill a King: To Kill a King review – instantly, insanely catchyhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/to-kill-a-king-cd-review
(Xtra Mile) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/to-kill-a-king-cd-review">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockFolk musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 21:10:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/to-kill-a-king-cd-reviewPhotograph: PRFeverish … To Kill a King.Dave Simpson2015-02-26T21:10:02ZFuture Brown: Future Brown review – global R&B/hip-hop cool doesn’t quite bitehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/future-brown-future-brown-review
Collaboration is laudable, but the grime, drill and reggae artists on this album make their hosts’ electronica sound anaemic <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/future-brown-future-brown-review">Continue reading...</a>Electronic musicHip-hopUrban musicReggaeGrimeMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 20:59:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/future-brown-future-brown-reviewPaul MacInnes2015-02-26T20:59:01ZElgar: Symphony No 1; Cockaigne CD review – unfocused and immaturehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/elgar-symphony-no-1-cockaigne-review-vasily-petrenko
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Petrenko<br />(Onyx) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/elgar-symphony-no-1-cockaigne-review-vasily-petrenko">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 18:45:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/elgar-symphony-no-1-cockaigne-review-vasily-petrenkoAndrew Clements2015-02-26T18:45:10ZLost and Found: Hoffmeister; Fiala; Lebrun and Kozeluh Oboe Concertos CD Reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/lost-and-found-oboe-concertos-review-mayer-hoffmeister-fiala-lebrun-kozelu
Mayer/Kammerakademie Potsdam<br />(Deutsche Grammophon) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/lost-and-found-oboe-concertos-review-mayer-hoffmeister-fiala-lebrun-kozelu">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 18:30:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/lost-and-found-oboe-concertos-review-mayer-hoffmeister-fiala-lebrun-kozeluAndrew Clements2015-02-26T18:30:10ZCarly Rae Jepsen's return to the top of the pops is a definite maybehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/carly-rae-jepsen-i-really-like-you-new-single
<p>Can new single I Really Like You unite the pop world and the blogosphere in the manner of her world-eating 2012 hit, Call Me Maybe? The answer is ... possibly</p><p>Today, Carly Rae Jepsen released I Really Like You, her first single since 2013, performing it on Good Morning America. The song feels continuous with her previous singles <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWNaR-rxAic">Call Me Maybe</a> (which reached No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as being <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/dec/13/best-song-2012-carly-rae-jepsen">named 2012’s best song in the Guardian</a>) and Tonight I’m Getting Over You, songs that describe the liminal spaces before or after a relationship with nuance and intensity.</p><p>I Really Like You doesn’t sound like Call Me Maybe, with its quarterturning strings mimicking the abrupt animation of nerves. At best, it acts as Call Me Maybe’s exposed radioactive skeleton. Synths surge through the track in iridescent shapes, Jepsen singing anxiously and acutely around them about a more advanced crush.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/carly-rae-jepsen-i-really-like-you-new-single">Continue reading...</a>Carly Rae JepsenMusicPop and rockCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 19:43:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/carly-rae-jepsen-i-really-like-you-new-singleBrad Nelson2015-03-02T19:43:41ZWas Kanye patronising or boosting grime with his Brits performance?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/was-kanye-patronising-or-boosting-grime-with-his-brits-performance
<p>Some observers say Kanye West was just using British MCs as props – but one MC who was onstage says he and his comrades don’t need US help, and that it’s the Americans who get inspired by British music</p><p>Not content with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/kanye-west-debuts-new-track-all-day-at-the-brit-awards-2015">providing a remarkable few minutes of theatre</a> at what has often been the music industry’s most soporific award ceremony, Kanye West’s performance at last Wednesday’s Brits has thrown up a huge debate about the relative struggles to be heard faced by different types of black music. Debuting his new track All Day, he was backed by a Greek chorus of 40-odd men in black tracksuits and hoodies, two of them holding giant flame-throwers. Among this backing line, keen eyes noticed, were British MCs Skepta, Jammer, Shorty, Krept and Konan, Novelist, Stormzy and Fekky. It was a stage-show which managed, presumably deliberately, to<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/lukebailey/kanye-and-grime#.kiXygYMym"> flush out the racists</a>; Kanye was “promoting gang culture”, to a few critics on Twitter – as if anything he has ever done has been as straightforward as that.</p><p>For many, it was a moment to be celebrated – Kanye brought the whole grime scene to the Brits!<em> </em>was a common response – a triumphant mobbing of the stage by some of the biggest names in a scene that has generally been ignored, humbled or watered down by the British music industry. Two fingers up to the suits, on its biggest, most tepid night out of the year, from musicians like Skepta, Jammer and Krept and Konan, who between them have spent decades releasing music to great acclaim (and, often, substantial sales) on tiny independent labels, or more often, putting it out themselves, direct to the fans. The irony was simple and powerful – there’s no way any of those MCs would be able to secure a place on that stage under their own steam; the sense is that British music is not a meritocracy, and the grass is greener for hip-hop in the US than it is in the UK. The fact that the MCs got their “break” at the invitation of someone as flighty as Kanye doesn’t matter – he recognised their need to be there, and perhaps the “black Atlantic” connection is a stronger bond than black British music’s foothold on its own soil.<br /></p><p>Kanye Knows The Brits Ain't letting dons in there like that so he kicked off the door for us.Imagine 1 of us saying Yeh I'm bringing 20 dons</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/was-kanye-patronising-or-boosting-grime-with-his-brits-performance">Continue reading...</a>Kanye WestMusicPop and rockHip-hopRapUrban musicGrimeCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 12:21:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/was-kanye-patronising-or-boosting-grime-with-his-brits-performanceDan Hancox2015-03-02T12:21:33ZA Sex Pistols single has sold for £6,000. Who else has got cash in their collections?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/a-sex-pistols-single-6000-pounds-reocrd-collections
<p>News of a big sale makes you wonder: what have I got on the shelves that might pay for a holiday or a new kitchen?</p><p>I’ve always been a bit of a rubbish record collector. The most valuable piece of vinyl I’ve ever had only stayed in my possession for a few days – it was a copy of Led Zeppelin IV, which I’d bought and had autographed by the surviving members, and then passed on to a Zep-loving friend as a gift. Only afterwards did I realise I had handed on four figures’ worth of vinyl.</p><p>As for records that have been worth money in themselves, without signatures attached, there have been a few. There was a coloured vinyl copy of Iron Maiden’s Twilight Zone that I gave away to my secondary school fair bric-a-brac stall when I discovered the Smiths. It was a kind of rusty reddish colour, which means I’m not sure whether I gave away &pound;40 or so for the red vinyl version or the several thousand pounds the brown vinyl version fetches. There have been a few things picked up from market stalls and less astute secondhand dealers – an original UK issue of the first Electric Prunes album that cost me &pound;2 and which<a href="http://www.discogs.com/Electric-Prunes-The-Electric-Prunes/release/1761759"> last sold on Discogs for &pound;59.99</a> being the best profit margin (were I to sell it). </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/apr/14/strangest-record-shops-in-britain">Dedication's what you need – if you want to be a record buyer</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/a-sex-pistols-single-6000-pounds-reocrd-collections">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockSex PistolsCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 14:53:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/mar/02/a-sex-pistols-single-6000-pounds-reocrd-collectionsMichael Hann2015-03-02T14:53:40ZThe Gary Glitter fans who still follow the leaderhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/gary-glitter-fans-paul-gadd-facebook
<p>Paul Gadd may be one of the most reviled figures in British pop right now, but a growing number of fans are proclaiming their undying loyalty for the glam-rock star on Facebook. They explain why they still wanna be in his gang</p><p>Steven Thomas was 37 years old when, as he puts it, “my world ended”. He had been a Gary Glitter fan since the early 70s: “Do You Wanna Touch Me on Top of the Pops, 1973, that was it. Bam. Totally hooked.” He had seen him live umpteen times, following him doggedly as Glitter clawed his way back from bankruptcy, from performances at shabby cabaret clubs in the late 70s, to college venues, to the huge venues he started filling in the 90s: Glitter’s final show, in 1997, was at Sheffield’s 7,500 capacity Motorpoint arena.</p><p>Two years later, <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/517604.stm">he was convicted of 54 offences of downloading child pornography</a> and jailed for four months. “When he got done, when the convictions came along,” says Thomas, “I threw his autobiography in the bin, put my records in the attic.”</p><p>It’s treating the public like kids, really. You know, we’ll decide on your behalf what you can and can’t listen to</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/feb/27/garry-glitter-jailed-for-16-years-for-sexual-assaults-on-three-schoolgirls">Gary Glitter jailed for 16 years for sexual assault of three schoolgirls</a> </p><p>People are still concerned about saying in public: 'Hi everybody! Here for the Glitter fan convention?'</p><p>It’s not just wiping him out of history is it? They’ve nicked 15, 20 years of my history too</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/gary-glitter-fans-paul-gadd-facebook">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockCrimeMusicMediaUK newsCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 18:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/gary-glitter-fans-paul-gadd-facebookAlexis Petridis2015-03-01T18:00:02ZYung, Lower, Lust for Youth: Danish punk breaks outhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/danish-punk-iceage-yung
<p>Building on the success of scene leaders Iceage, a new wave of Scandi bands are twisting the genre into thrilling new shapes</p><p>In 2011, if you were at all interested in punk rock, there’s a good chance you were looking in the direction of Denmark. New Brigade, the debut LP by four photogenic Copenhagen teenagers calling themselves Iceage, had found its way to the wider world, and it was nigh-on perfect: 24 minutes of gothic hardcore and surly bromance, like a yobbish Joy Division. It was the sort of album that can spark a record company gold rush, but as it turned out, Iceage’s immediate peers – groups such as Lower and Sexdrome – made bleak and brutal rock with no visible commercial ambition, just a few designs on destroying your eardrums. Great if you like that sort of thing, but “the next Iceage” was not forthcoming.</p><p>Four years later and a lot has changed. In 2015, Denmark is blooming. This week’s hopefuls are Yung, from the country’s second city Aarhus. Their debut EP Alter is a jangly indie-punk with a dash of Scandinavian noir. Watch them larking about on a chilly-looking dock in the video for lead track Nobody Cares, and you half-expect to see Sarah Lund cordoning off a crime scene in the background.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/danish-punk-iceage-yung">Continue reading...</a>PunkMusicCultureMon, 02 Mar 2015 09:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/danish-punk-iceage-yungLouis Pattison2015-03-02T09:00:09ZWhy the male domination of classical music might be coming to an endhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/why-male-domination-of-classical-music-might-end
For decades – no, make that centuries – the classical music world has sidelined women, if not ignored them completely. But the balance may be finally shifting<p>In a studio at <a href="http://www.morleycollege.ac.uk/news/1802_morley_leads_the_way_for_new_women_conductors">Morley College in south London</a>, a group of teenagers are learning how to stand. Some postures naturally convey authority; something as basic as a different way of walking can establish the impression of control. The first time a conductor meets an orchestra, first impressions are all-important; she has, after all, to persuade a large group of musicians to follow her instructions.</p><p>That’s right: her instructions. Last year Morley College initiated an introductory course at which young female music students could have a try at conducting for the first time. The event was among a number of constructive responses to increasing anger about the under-representation of women in parts of the classical music world.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/04/sexism-rife-classical-music-marin-alsop-james-rhodes">Sexism is rife in classical music</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/sep/06/marin-alsop-proms-classical-sexist">Marin Alsop, conductor of Last Night of the Proms, on sexism in classical music</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/mar/09/march-women-southbank-classical-music">March of the women: discovering classical music's forgotten voices </a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/24/women-held-back-classical-music-southbank-centre-jude-kelly">Women are held back in classical music, says Southbank Centre director</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/02/bigger-shift-attitudes-female-composers-radio-3">We need a bigger shift in attitudes to female composers after Radio 3’s focus | Letters</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/why-male-domination-of-classical-music-might-end">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicWomenRadio 3International Women's DayLife and styleMusicGenderWorld newsCultureMusicMarin AlsopBBCRadio industryMediaSat, 28 Feb 2015 09:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/why-male-domination-of-classical-music-might-endJessica Duchen2015-02-28T09:00:01ZYoko Ono and Madonna both fight ageism – in radically different wayshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/yoko-ono-and-madonna-both-fight-ageism-in-radically-different-ways
<p>Ono and Madonna have both felt the sharp edge of the ageism stick recently. Is it too much to hope that an artist can be loved for who she is?<br></p><p>Yoko Ono turned 82 on 18 February, and noted the occasion with an open letter titled<a href="http://imaginepeace.com/archives/21173"> Don’t Stop Me!</a>, addressed to critics who think it unseemly that she’s still making music at her age. Ono doesn’t often respond to criticism, but whatever has been flung at her lately has evidently flustered her. “I don’t want to be old and sick like many others of my age. Please don’t create another old person,” she begins, going on to defend her singing and the right to wear hot pants in the video for her 2013 track Bad Dancer. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3mvEfON2CI">“I am afraid of just one thing,”</a> she concludes. “That those ageism criticism [sic] will finally influence me … Because dancing in the middle of an ageism society is a lonely trip.”</p><p>Lonely indeed. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/dec/20/yoko-ono-interview">Ono</a> is one of the oldest artists to have an active multidisciplinary career, and her age has given detractors another weapon to batter her with. Yet a musician needn’t be 82 to feel the sharp end of the ageism stick. Madonna woke the morning after her <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/madonna-falls-but-it-was-the-brit-awards-that-took-a-tumble">Brit awards tumble</a> to hundreds of tweets that referenced her age as reason to sympathise with her fall. </p><p>Ageism affects men and women, but in the music business it affects female artists disproportionately</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/yoko-ono-and-madonna-both-fight-ageism-in-radically-different-ways">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockCultureMadonnaYoko OnoOlder peopleWomenBody imageHealth & wellbeingSocietyFri, 27 Feb 2015 12:59:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/yoko-ono-and-madonna-both-fight-ageism-in-radically-different-waysCaroline Sullivan2015-02-27T12:59:47ZTownship tech: South Africans raving at apartheid’s afterpartyhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/township-tech-south-africans-raving-at-apartheids-afterparty
<p>A new documentary shows how a country still scarred by years of segregation has embraced locally brewed house music as a force for expression</p><p>An apparition rises from the clouds of dry ice billowing through the humid Cape Town air, his pipe-cleaner limbs contorting wildly as he leaps and prances to a drum groove that sounds like hammers battering out a tattoo on a tin roof. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/djspokom">DJ Spoko</a> flashes a toothy grin from beneath his scarlet bandana and pokes a skinny finger towards the sky as his comrade Mujava teases out the wonky synth melody from one of South African electronic music’s <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpPeAafarOM">biggest international hits, Township Funk</a>.</p><p>Spoko and Mujava’s pandemoniac display was one of the highlights of this month’s Cape Town electronic music festival (CTEMF), which for the past four years has been seeking to channel the surging energies of the country’s diverse dance cultures and bring some of its disparate creative communities together. Spoko’s story illustrates how young South African producers and DJs have been employing a mixture of DIY inventiveness and entrepreneurial verve to make themselves heard. He started cutting tracks in his township home near Pretoria aged 12, using pirated drum-loop software to create the toughest sound he could. “I just banged those drums. Hard! No bass, just drums – bang!” he recalls. “I hate soft music, I just love noise.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/township-tech-south-africans-raving-at-apartheids-afterparty">Continue reading...</a>Electronic musicMusicCultureSouth AfricaAfricaFri, 27 Feb 2015 00:30:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/township-tech-south-africans-raving-at-apartheids-afterpartyMatthew Collin2015-02-27T00:30:20ZHave the Pop Group finally become a pop group?http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/the-pop-group-new-album-citizen-zombie
<p>Bristol’s post-punk provocateurs have released Citizen Zombie, their first album for 35 years. In 1975, they drew on dub, free-jazz and Baudrillard; 2015 finds singer Mark Stewart enjoying Olly Murs</p><p>The Pop Group are the missing link between Nick Cave and Olly Murs. No, really. Cave has hailed the Bristol band – who almost singlehandedly effected the transition from punk to postpunk and have just released their first album for 35 years – as the primary influence on the Birthday Party. Their music was “unholy, paranoid, manic, violent, painful”. Far more than the Sex Pistols, he contended, it was the Pop Group who most dramatically impacted on young Australians.</p><p>As for Mark Stewart, the lanky, loquacious demagogue who, with his Pop Group bandmates – and ahead of Gang of Four, PiL, A Certain Ratio and the rest – steered punk towards a radical, politicised mash-up of dub, funk, free jazz and the avant-garde, his current listening list is topped by the aforementioned pop muppet, whose record, he notes, bears more than a passing resemblance to an old Shalamar single.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/pop-group-sounds-magazine-1979-interview-rocks-backpages">The Pop Group: 'If people think we’re full of shit, they should come and tell us'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/the-pop-group-new-album-citizen-zombie">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicPunkCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:27:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/the-pop-group-new-album-citizen-zombiePaul Lester2015-02-26T16:27:52ZAaron Watson's success proves that country radio is out of touchhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/aaron-watson-country-radio-gary-overton
<p>The Texan has shot to No 1 in the charts despite being ignored on country radio. It’s a sign that musicians can thrive outside the increasingly homogenised airwaves</p><p>“If you’re not on country radio, you don’t exist.” That’s what Sony Nashville CEO Gary Overton <a href="http://www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/music/2015/02/20/sony-nashville-ceo-talks-importance-country-radio/23768711/">told the Tennessean</a> this weekend ahead of the annual <a href="http://countryradioseminar.com/">Country Radio Seminar</a>. The label executive’s comment raised more than a few eyebrows across the country world – and for good reason. Anyone paying attention to the Billboard charts over the past few months knows that Overton’s assessment is at best myopic and at worst hopelessly out of touch.</p><p>Two weeks ago, modern outlaw <a href="https://twitter.com/SturgillSimpson">Sturgill Simpson</a> passed the 100,000 mark with his independently released Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, despite not being played on mainstream radio at all. Then last week, Atlanta country rockers Blackberry Smoke stunned the Nashville media circuit when their sixth album <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/05/blackcherry-smoke-holding-all-the-roses-review">Holding All the Roses</a> topped the Hot Country Albums Chart – once again, without any mainstream radio support.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/aaron-watson-country-radio-gary-overton">Continue reading...</a>CountryMusicCultureUS newsThu, 26 Feb 2015 17:30:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/aaron-watson-country-radio-gary-overtonGrady Smith2015-02-26T17:30:50ZThe boss of Reading and Leeds festivals says women are not marginalised. So why are so few on his bill?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/reading-leeds-festivals-why-so-few-women-on-bill
<p>The lineup for this year’s festivals is, so far, 89.6% all-male bands. And that’s just not good enough</p><p>On Tuesday night, Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe rattled off the new additions to this year’s Reading and Leeds festivals with the volume and enthusiasm of a small child on an ice cream binge. The Libertines, the Cribs, the Maccabees, A$AP Ferg, Everything Everything, Django Django … As the list went on, and at a pace that was rapidly becoming inaudible, one thing became abundantly clear. In the world of Reading and Leeds, female acts are all but non-existent.</p><p>Of the 87 acts announced so far this year, 78 are all male, three are female and six are mixed. That’s an 89.6% all-male lineup, and that is not OK. And it’s not just Reading and Leeds. Isle Of Wight festival, T in the Park, End of the Road … all of these festivals are significantly male-dominated. Fifteen years into the 21st century, the music industry is looking more male than it has in a very long time.</p><p>How it would look if the Reading / Leeds line-up only included the acts that have a female musician in the band. <a href="http://t.co/xpEgI0gNUB">pic.twitter.com/xpEgI0gNUB</a></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/19/queer-festivals-bent-fest-london">'No jerks, cops or oppressive behaviour': music's new wave of queer festivals</a> </p><p>Comparison. The T in the Park line-up so far. <a href="http://t.co/LK1QbYQfAR">pic.twitter.com/LK1QbYQfAR</a></p><p>made this after seeing the leeds/reading version earlier. bands with at least one female member at download this year <a href="http://t.co/lr2zCbBtzz">pic.twitter.com/lr2zCbBtzz</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/reading-leeds-festivals-why-so-few-women-on-bill">Continue reading...</a>Reading and Leeds festivalMusicFestivalsMusic festivalsPop and rockCultureWomenWed, 25 Feb 2015 15:22:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/reading-leeds-festivals-why-so-few-women-on-billAlexandra Pollard2015-02-25T15:22:26ZFrank Peter Zimmermann loses his Stradivarius as prices soarhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/25/frank-peter-zimmermann-loses-his-stradivarius-as-prices-soar
<p>In a market driven by money and aesthetic one-upmanship, what chance do real musicians have of playing older instruments?<br></p><p>A surprisingly common problem, this: <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/prized-stradivarius-prompts-tug-of-war-german-violinist-to-play-with-new-york-philharmonic-1424483857">the violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann</a> has had to give back his 1711 Stradivarius – well the one he rents, anyway – after the contract, with a now extinct German bank, expired on 22 February. That means that this beloved instrument, played by Fritz Kreisler and one of the Berlin Philharmonic’s violinists before it was passed on to Zimmermann in 2001, is no longer in his care. He will have to find another violin to use for his imminent concerts with the New York Philharmonic.</p><p><a href="http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/frank-peter-zimmermann-forced-hand-back-lady-inchiquin-stradivarius/">Zimmermann told The Strad</a> in 2012 that the violin, the so-called “Lady Inchiquin”, “feels like part of my body … It has altered my musical ideas and how I play … It has a really rich sound that projects well, and I don’t need to use so much vibrato”. Being parted from it, logically, must be like losing a musical limb for the violinist. His problem is that although he wants to buy the instrument outright, <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/prized-stradivarius-prompts-tug-of-war-german-violinist-to-play-with-new-york-philharmonic-1424483857">his adviser says</a> that the company who now officially own the instrument, Portigon Financial Services AG, have overvalued the instrument, to the tune of &pound;1m above its true worth. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/25/frank-peter-zimmermann-loses-his-stradivarius-as-prices-soar">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 07:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/25/frank-peter-zimmermann-loses-his-stradivarius-as-prices-soarTom Service2015-02-25T07:00:06ZCult heroes: Digital Underground peaked so high, so early, little more was requiredhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/cult-heroes-digital-underground-2pac-greg-jacobs-shock-g-humpty-hump
<p>Digital Underground are best remembered for one novelty song and giving 2Pac his big break. But that completely undersells a pioneering hip-hop group</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/series/cult-heroes">Read more from our Cult heroes series here</a></li></ul><p>There is, of course, no justice. If there were, a series on cult heroes would be redundant. But for an example of the particular and peculiar kind of injustice by which the music business is riven, one need only compare the relative renown of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_G">Greg Jacobs</a> and Tupac Shakur.<br /></p><p>Both men started out in the same band – in the same sense that John Lennon and Pete Best both started out in the Beatles. Imagine Lennon was now best remembered for giving Best his break. No, that doesn’t scan, but still. Imagine.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/17/cult-heroes-charlie-harper-uk-subs-punk">Cult heroes: UK Subs' Charlie Harper is less a punk than a heroic old soldier</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/cult-heroes-digital-underground-2pac-greg-jacobs-shock-g-humpty-hump">Continue reading...</a>Hip-hopMusicPop and rockRapUrban musicCulture2PacTue, 24 Feb 2015 12:17:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/cult-heroes-digital-underground-2pac-greg-jacobs-shock-g-humpty-humpDavid Bennun2015-02-24T12:17:49ZThe gig venue guide: O2 Academy, Glasgowhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-gig-venue-guide-o2-academy-glasgow
<p>It’s the last stop before the enormodomes, but the Academy can still attract huge acts in its own right – Adele has dropped by and Sam Smith will be there soon</p><p><strong>Capacity:</strong> 2,550.</p><p><strong>Who plays there:</strong> Ascending pop stars, rock bands new and established, visiting hip-hoppers, dance music veterans – the split-level Academy is Glasgow’s last rung on the mid-size venue ladder before the impersonal big rooms of the SECC and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/aug/26/gig-venue-guide-sse-hydro-glasgow">the Hydro</a>. Since opening in 2003, this former cinema and bingo hall has hosted plenty of gigs by artists who’ve exploded in popularity between the initial booking and the actual show, as well as providing an intimate theatre-style space for huge acts looking to class things up. Adele played here four years ago, while in 2006 the Killers sold out a gig in three minutes. Among the acts scheduled to appear are Clean Bandit, Sam Smith, Chic, Laura Marling and the Wu-Tang Clan. The venue is also home to Club Noir, the biggest burlesque night in the world<br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-gig-venue-guide-o2-academy-glasgow">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockGlasgowScotlandUnited KingdomTue, 24 Feb 2015 13:00:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/the-gig-venue-guide-o2-academy-glasgowGraeme Virtue2015-02-24T13:00:25ZJimmy Page on Led Zeppelin's Kashmir: 'You need time to catch your breath after'http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/jimmy-page-on-led-zeppelin-kashmir
<p>The Zeppelin mastermind talks us through the making of one of the band’s greatest tracks, from their newly reissued album Physical Graffiti</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/jimmy-page-on-led-zeppelin-kashmir">Continue reading...</a>Led ZeppelinMusicCulturePop and rockMetalFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:33:54 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/27/jimmy-page-on-led-zeppelin-kashmirMichael Hann2015-02-27T15:33:54ZThe musical and environmental mindfulness of John Luther Adamshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/26/john-luther-adams-musical-environmental-mindfulness-rolf-hind
<p>The activist and composer is inspired by the natural processes he sees all around him – but refuses to let politics take charge of the music</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/26/john-luther-adams-musical-environmental-mindfulness-rolf-hind">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:41:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2015/feb/26/john-luther-adams-musical-environmental-mindfulness-rolf-hindTom Service2015-02-26T16:41:31ZBrit awards 2015: 10 things we learnedhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/brit-awards-2015-10-things-we-learned
<p>From Madonna’s tumble to Kanye embracing grime, here are ten talking points from the Brit awards 2015</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/brit-awards-2015-10-things-we-learned">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMadonnaEd SheeranAnt and DecTake ThatKanye WestEllie GouldingLewis HamiltonSam SmithFoo FightersMusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 07:48:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/26/brit-awards-2015-10-things-we-learnedTshepo Mokoena, Ben Beaumont-Thomas, Harriet Gibsone and Tim Jonze2015-02-26T07:48:04ZHot 97 v Power 105.1: battle of the New York hip-hop stationshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/hot-97-v-power-1051-battle-new-york-hip-hop-stations
<p>Both play the same old records ad nauseam – but when it comes to getting the scoops, there’s one station that clearly has the edge</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/hot-97-v-power-1051-battle-new-york-hip-hop-stations">Continue reading...</a>Hip-hopRapRadioNew YorkCultureMusicTelevision & radioUrban musicWed, 25 Feb 2015 17:53:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/hot-97-v-power-1051-battle-new-york-hip-hop-stationsBen Westhoff2015-02-25T17:53:49ZBrit awards 2015: 10 things to look out forhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-10-things-to-look-out-for
<p>Expect Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith to fight it out for the big gongs, Royal Blood to pick up a nod to rock … and Kanye to bring the surprises</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-10-things-to-look-out-for">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015Brit awardsMusicCultureAnt and DecMadonnaKanye WestEd SheeranSam SmithSt VincentTaylor SwiftWed, 25 Feb 2015 12:17:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/25/brit-awards-2015-10-things-to-look-out-forMichael Hann, Tshepo Mokoena, Harriet Gibsone and Tim Jonze2015-02-25T12:17:40Z'There's no life without music': the Malian musicians fighting Islamists with songs – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2015/mar/03/mali-musicians-they-will-have-to-kill-us-first-video
All <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/23/mali-militants-declare-war-music">music was banned</a> in northern Mali in 2012 by Islamist militants. But musicians such as Khaira Arby refused to accept it. The last two years have seen a collective of musicians taking Mali's rich musical heritage on a grand Caravan of Peace – an offshoot of Mali's famous Festival in the Desert. Created to celebrate Music Freedom Day, this short film is a companion to the feature length documentary They Will Have to Kill us First. Can the musicians of Mali rescue their music in exile? Featuring music from Songhoy Blues, Khaira Arby, Vieux Farka Touré and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)<br /><br />• They Will Have To Kill Us First is screened at SXSW in Austin, Texas, next week<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/songhoy-blues-music-in-exile-album-review-video">Why you should hear Songhoy Blues' album Music in Exile – video</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2015/mar/03/mali-musicians-they-will-have-to-kill-us-first-video">Continue reading...</a>MaliWorld newsAfricaAfrica ExpressWorld musicMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/news/video/2015/mar/03/mali-musicians-they-will-have-to-kill-us-first-videoSarah Mosses, Johanna Schwartz, Craig Walker and Charlie Phillips2015-03-03T12:00:00ZMadonna on Brits fall: ‘The universe was trying to teach me a lesson’ - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/mar/01/madonna-2015-brit-awards-fall-video
Madonna talks to ITV's Jonathan Ross about <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/madonna-falls-off-stage-falling-brit-awards-video">her fall on stage at the 2015 Brit Awards</a>. In an interview that will air on Saturday 14 March, the 56-year-old star dismisses rumours that the fall was a stunt, saying she suffered whiplash after hitting her head. 'The universe was trying to teach me a lesson, I guess,' she says <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/mar/01/madonna-2015-brit-awards-fall-video">Continue reading...</a>MadonnaCultureBrit Awards 2015MusicSun, 01 Mar 2015 11:51:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/mar/01/madonna-2015-brit-awards-fall-videoGuardian Staff2015-03-01T11:51:38ZWhy Songhoy Blues's Music in Exile is the one album you should hear this week – video reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/songhoy-blues-music-in-exile-album-review-video
The debut album by Songhoy Blues, Music in Exile, arrives with a gripping backstory attached, involving a hasty flight from Islamist fundamentalists who'd banned music entirely in their hometown. But it's the music, not the circumstances in which it was made that makes it worth hearing, says <strong>Alexis Petridis</strong> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/songhoy-blues-music-in-exile-album-review-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureWorld musicFri, 27 Feb 2015 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/songhoy-blues-music-in-exile-album-review-videoAlexis Petridis and Mona Mahmood2015-02-27T07:00:00ZGaz Coombes performs Detroit live in session – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/gaz-coombes-detroit-live-session-video
Gaz Coombes performs his song Detroit at the Old Blue Last pub in Shoreditch, east London, in a session recorded exclusively for the Guardian. The song appears on the former Supergrass singer's second solo album, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/22/gaz-coombes-matador-review">Matador</a>, and includes elements of krautrock. The song is released as a single on 6 April <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/gaz-coombes-detroit-live-session-video">Continue reading...</a>Gaz CoombesMusicIndieCultureWed, 25 Feb 2015 10:15:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/gaz-coombes-detroit-live-session-videoTom Silverstone, Ekaterina Ochagavia, Joan Portillo, Tshepo Mokoena and Mikko Gordon2015-02-25T10:15:00ZWhy Marika Hackman's We Slept at Last is the one album you should hear this week – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2015/feb/19/marika-hackman-we-slept-at-last-album-this-week-video
Harriet Gibsone recommends Marika Hackman's debut album, We Slept at Last, which she says is an odd adventure into the melancholic and macabre. Touching on sleepless nights and a strange fascination with the human body, the 22-year-old's nightmarish tales take the listener with her on some strange tangents <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2015/feb/19/marika-hackman-we-slept-at-last-album-this-week-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicThu, 19 Feb 2015 16:15:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/global/video/2015/feb/19/marika-hackman-we-slept-at-last-album-this-week-videoHarriet Gibsone and Mona Mahmood2015-02-19T16:15:00ZWhy the Unthanks' Mount the Air is the one album you should hear this week – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/13/unthanks-mount-the-air-album-you-should-hear-video
Alexis Petridis recommends the Unthanks' new album, Mount the Air, which he says is ambitious and rooted in folk traditions, without being hard work for the listener. The 10-minute-long title track is based on a song found by found in Cecil Sharp House by Becky Unthank and is influenced by Miles Davis's Sketches of Spain <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/13/unthanks-mount-the-air-album-you-should-hear-video">Continue reading...</a>The UnthanksMusicCultureFolk musicFri, 13 Feb 2015 08:46:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/13/unthanks-mount-the-air-album-you-should-hear-videoAlexis Petridis and Mona Mahmood2015-02-13T08:46:13ZWhy H Hawkline's In the Pink of Condition is the one album you should hear this week – video reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/06/h-hawkline-in-the-pink-of-condition-album-you-should-hear-video-review
Alexis Petridis recommends In the Pink of Condition, the new album by Cardiff-born LA resident songwriter Huw Evans. He says H Hawkline has some beautiful melodies and choruses, but the lyrics are deeply odd, the guitars tend to fly off at tangents and you never know what's coming next. In the Pink of Condition is produced by Cate Le Bon and is out now on Heavenly Recordings <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/06/h-hawkline-in-the-pink-of-condition-album-you-should-hear-video-review">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockFri, 06 Feb 2015 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/06/h-hawkline-in-the-pink-of-condition-album-you-should-hear-video-reviewAlexis Petridis and Mona Mahmood2015-02-06T07:00:00ZWhy Natalie Prass is the one album you should hear this week - video reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/jan/30/natalie-prass-album-you-should-hear-video-review
Alexis Petridis recommends Natalie Prass's debut album, on the Spacebomb label. He says that while the Virginia-based label-cum-studio's music is rooted in old soul and early 70s rock, it feels contemporary. Natalie Prass is the singer-songwriter's third album and is produced by Matthew E White and Trey Pollard <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/jan/30/natalie-prass-album-you-should-hear-video-review">Continue reading...</a>MusicFri, 30 Jan 2015 07:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/jan/30/natalie-prass-album-you-should-hear-video-reviewAlexis Petridis and Mona Mahmood2015-01-30T07:00:00ZKimberley calling: Dan Sultan on his family's stolen generation past - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/dan-sultan-kimberley-calling-stolen-generation-video
Singer-songwriter Dan Sultan's song Kimberley Calling was inspired by a search for his mother's mother. Nominated for APRA song of the year, the track tells the story of Sultan finding the grave of his maternal grandmother in Western Australia's Kimberley region, a woman he never knew after his own mother was taken from her parents as a child <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/dan-sultan-kimberley-calling-stolen-generation-video">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicIndigenous AustraliansAustralia newsAwards and prizesCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 00:37:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/27/dan-sultan-kimberley-calling-stolen-generation-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-27T00:37:06ZThe Pop Group perform Echelon live in session – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/pop-group-echelon-live-session-video
In an exclusive pared-back session recorded at the home of lead singer Mark Stewart, post-punk collective the Pop Group perform Echelon from their album Citizen Zombie. Originally formed in Bristol in 1977, the group have reunited after 35 years apart <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/pop-group-echelon-live-session-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureThu, 26 Feb 2015 16:25:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/pop-group-echelon-live-session-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-26T16:25:00ZWill Butler Song a Day: You Must Be Kidding - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/will-butler-song-a-day-you-must-be-kidding-video
The first of two new songs today based <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/will-butler-third-new-song-written-for-the-guardian-you-must-be-kidding">on Guardian stories</a> written by Arcade Fire's Will Butler takes its inspiration from a tale of water crisis in São Paulo <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/will-butler-song-a-day-you-must-be-kidding-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureArcade FirePop and rockThu, 26 Feb 2015 11:40:46 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/26/will-butler-song-a-day-you-must-be-kidding-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-26T11:40:46ZWill Butler Song a Day: Waving Flag - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-waving-flag-video
All this week, Arcade Fire's Will Butler is writing songs based on stories he's read in the Guardian. Today's takes its inspiration from the stories of an anti-apartheid hero's remains being repatriated and Ukrainian separatists celebrating a Soviet holiday <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-waving-flag-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicArcade FirePop and rockWed, 25 Feb 2015 17:19:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-waving-flag-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-25T17:19:00ZWill Butler Song a Day: Clean Monday - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-clean-monday-video
Every day this week, Arcade Fire's Will Butler is writing a song based on a news story published in the Guardian. Here's the first, inspired by the Greek debt crisis. <br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2015/feb/23/greek-bailout-markeks-rally-ftse-100-reforms-live">Read the story that inspired the song here</a><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/will-butler-clean-monday-hear-the-first-of-his-tracks-written-after-reading-the-guardian">Read Will Butler's introduction to the song here</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-clean-monday-video">Continue reading...</a>MusicArcade FirePop and rockWed, 25 Feb 2015 17:15:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/25/will-butler-arcade-fire-song-a-day-clean-monday-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-25T17:15:00Z50 shades of Dre – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/50-shades-dre-video
As Andre Romelle Young, better known as Dr Dre, turns 50 on Thursday, we look back at some of the seminal moments in his career as hip-hop artist, producer and entrepreneur. From Wreckin' Cru and NWA to Snoop, Eminem and Beats headphones. We present 50 shades of Dre, the richest man in rap<br /><br />• Music: Straight Outta Compton (Ruthless Records); Deep Cover (Solar, Epic) Little Ghetto Boy (Death Row); My Name Is (Aftermath); Where I'm From (Aftermath) <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/50-shades-dre-video">Continue reading...</a>Dr DreSnoop DoggEminem2PacHip-hopMusicCultureUS newsWorld newsThu, 12 Feb 2015 18:42:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/50-shades-dre-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-12T18:42:16ZAugie March's single Never Been Sad: exclusive to Guardian Australia – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/augie-march-never-been-sad-premiere-video
Australian indie-pop favourites Augie March have given Guardian Australia first dibs on the video for their waltzing, whispery new track, Never Been Sad. Directed by Ben Saunders and from the band's fifth studio album, the video has a dreamy, Neverland feel and features the children of a Victorian coastal town called Jan Juc in dress-up, running wild <br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/03/augie-march-havens-dumb-review">• Havens Dumb album review – like browsing a country op shop</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/augie-march-never-been-sad-premiere-video">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicAustralia newsWorld newsCultureThu, 12 Feb 2015 00:02:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/12/augie-march-never-been-sad-premiere-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-12T00:02:00ZKanye West interrupts Beck's Grammy acceptance speech – video reporthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/kanye-west-beck-grammy-acceptance-speech-video
Kanye West interrupts Beck on stage as he collects his album of the year Grammy award. Beck had just been handed his gong by Prince when Kanye West jumped briefly onto the stage. It looked like he was going to re-enact the moment a few years ago when he came on stage to protest about Taylor Swift triumphing over Beyonce at the MTV video music awards. However he left the stage without saying a word <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/kanye-west-beck-grammy-acceptance-speech-video">Continue reading...</a>GrammysUS newsMusicKanye WestBeckWorld newsMon, 09 Feb 2015 12:00:36 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/kanye-west-beck-grammy-acceptance-speech-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-09T12:00:36ZSam Smith thanks ex-boyfriend for Grammy success –videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/sam-smith-thanks-ex-boyfriend-for-grammy-success-video
British singer Sam Smith thanks his former partner after winning four Grammy wins at Sunday's night's music industry ceremony in Los Angeles. The 22-year-old's wins included gongs for song and record of the year. As he stood on stage he said he wanted to thank his ex-boyfriend for causing the heartbreak that inspired such success <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/sam-smith-thanks-ex-boyfriend-for-grammy-success-video">Continue reading...</a>Sam SmithGrammysUS newsMusicMon, 09 Feb 2015 10:36:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/09/sam-smith-thanks-ex-boyfriend-for-grammy-success-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-09T10:36:04ZSydney Opera House projects live orchestra on its sails - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/video/2015/feb/05/sydney-opera-house-live-orchestra-sails
Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) perform Johann Strauss' waltz, On the Beautiful Blue Danube, to thousands of people around the Sydney Harbour foreshore and across the world. Performing a program of Viennese classics inside the concert hall, the SSO became the first professional orchestra to be projected live on the Sydney Opera House sails <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/video/2015/feb/05/sydney-opera-house-live-orchestra-sails">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicCultureSydneyAustralia newsMusicThu, 05 Feb 2015 01:35:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/australia-culture-blog/video/2015/feb/05/sydney-opera-house-live-orchestra-sailsGuardian Staff2015-02-05T01:35:00ZSuge Knight charged with murder after hit-and-run death – videohttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/03/suge-knight-charged-murder-hit-run-death-video
Suge Knight, the co-founder of the hip-hop label Death Row Records, refuses to answer questions as he arrives at a police station in Los Angeles with his attorney. On Monday he was charged with murder and attempted murder after a hit-and-run incident in a car park last week. Prosecutors say he ran over two men with his pickup truck in a car park in Compton, south of Los Angeles, killing one of them <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/03/suge-knight-charged-murder-hit-run-death-video">Continue reading...</a>Suge KnightUS newsMusicWorld newsUS crimeLos AngelesCaliforniaHip-hopTue, 03 Feb 2015 12:18:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2015/feb/03/suge-knight-charged-murder-hit-run-death-videoGuardian Staff2015-02-03T12:18:03ZIt was all a bit of a Blur ...http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/31/blur-albarn-rowntree-james-coxon-music
They have been one of the most innovative and influential bands of the past 20 years. As Blur re-form for a series of concerts next month, Ally Carnwath, Miranda Sawyer and Imogen Carter speak to those who know them best about the hedonism of 90s Britpop, Damon Albarn's panic attacks - and that battle with Oasis<p><strong>Nigel Hildreth</strong><br /><strong>Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon's music teacher at Stanway school, Colchester </strong><br />I started teaching Damon in 1980 when he was 11 or 12 and Graham the year after. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/31/blur-albarn-rowntree-james-coxon-music">Continue reading...</a>BlurPop and rockMusicCultureBritpopSat, 30 May 2009 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/may/31/blur-albarn-rowntree-james-coxon-musicBrian Rasic/Rex FeaturesThe Blur boys in 1991. Photograph: Brian Rasic/Rex FeaturesAlly Carnwath2009-05-30T23:01:00ZSimple Minds' Jim Kerr: 'I’d rather see De Niro than David Bowie or David Byrne'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/simple-minds-jim-kerr-id-rather-see-de-niro-than-david-bowie-or-david-byrne
<p>Simple Minds’ album Sparkle in the Rain gets a reissue next month, so let’s revisit a Smash Hits article from September 1982: Jim Kerr’s Glittering Dream – now resurrected courtesy of Rock’s Backpages</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/simple-minds-jim-kerr-id-rather-see-de-niro-than-david-bowie-or-david-byrne">Continue reading...</a>Simple MindsPop and rockCultureMusicWed, 25 Feb 2015 15:00:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/25/simple-minds-jim-kerr-id-rather-see-de-niro-than-david-bowie-or-david-byrneDave Rimmer2015-02-25T15:00:12ZThe Pop Group: 'If people think we’re full of shit, they should come and tell us'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/pop-group-sounds-magazine-1979-interview-rocks-backpages
<p>The post-punk experimenters return with their first album in 35 years on 23 February. This week’s Rock’s Backpages revisits their March 1979 Sounds interview with Peter Silverton, first published before the release of their debut album, Y</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/26/the-pop-group-first-album-citizen-zombie-paul-epworth">The Pop Group announce first album in 35 years</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2010/sep/14/pop-group">Sean O’Hagan on the Pop Group’s enduring live dynamism in 2010</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/pop-group-sounds-magazine-1979-interview-rocks-backpages">Continue reading...</a>PunkPop and rockIndieMusicCultureWed, 18 Feb 2015 15:20:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/18/pop-group-sounds-magazine-1979-interview-rocks-backpagesPeter Silverton2015-02-18T15:20:10ZVillage People's Glenn Hughes: 'Here for all those thousands of cowboys is disco recognition'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/11/village-people-rocks-backpages-danny-baker-nme-1979
<p>As a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/10/village-people-ymca-royalty-fight">trial opens to determine</a> the rightful songwriter of the disco troupe’s most famous hits, we delve into Rock’s Backpages to uncover this classic Danny Baker interview written for NME in February 1979</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/11/village-people-rocks-backpages-danny-baker-nme-1979">Continue reading...</a>DiscoPop and rockDance musicNMECultureMusicWed, 11 Feb 2015 17:14:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/11/village-people-rocks-backpages-danny-baker-nme-1979Danny Baker2015-02-11T17:14:11ZThe Grammys in 1976: Was the Captain & Tennille really better than Jefferson Starship?http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/04/1976-grammys-rocks-backpages-rolling-stone-dave-marsh-captain-tennille-jefferson-starship
<p>The 2015 Grammys are nearly here, so here’s a Rock’s Backpages from Rolling Stone’s Dave Marsh in March 1976, who calls the awards ceremony ‘irrelevant and ridiculous’<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/04/1976-grammys-rocks-backpages-rolling-stone-dave-marsh-captain-tennille-jefferson-starship">Continue reading...</a>GrammysPaul SimonEaglesGlen CampbellPop and rockCountryJazzMusicCultureWed, 04 Feb 2015 14:52:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/04/1976-grammys-rocks-backpages-rolling-stone-dave-marsh-captain-tennille-jefferson-starshipDave Marsh2015-02-04T14:52:33ZRobert Wyatt: 'Everybody's got an equally good voice. It's just a matter of using it'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/28/robert-wyatt-70th-birthday-prog-rock-pioneer-1974-nme-interview
<p>It’s the great man’s 70th birthday - so this week’s visit to <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>, the online home of music writing, brings us Charles Shaar Murray’s interview for NME from October 1974</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/28/robert-wyatt-70th-birthday-prog-rock-pioneer-1974-nme-interview">Continue reading...</a>Robert WyattExperimental musicMusicPop and rockCulturePsychedeliaNMEWed, 28 Jan 2015 14:09:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/28/robert-wyatt-70th-birthday-prog-rock-pioneer-1974-nme-interviewCharles Shaar Murray2015-01-28T14:09:06ZKorn's Jonathan Davis: 'I've pulled so many bodies out of cars. It intrigued me'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/21/korn-jonathan-davis-ive-pulled-bodies-out-of-cars-rocks-back-pages
<p>Ahead of the Bakersfield nu-metaller’s <a href="http://www.korn.com/events">UK tour beginning on 22 January</a>, here’s a sleaze-and-all 1999 feature by Ian Watson, originally published in Melody Maker, from online archive <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/21/korn-jonathan-davis-ive-pulled-bodies-out-of-cars-rocks-back-pages">Continue reading...</a>MusicMetalCulturePop and rockWed, 21 Jan 2015 16:50:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/21/korn-jonathan-davis-ive-pulled-bodies-out-of-cars-rocks-back-pagesIan Watson2015-01-21T16:50:13ZSteve Earle: ' I don’t need to worry about feeding my kids for the first time in my life' – a classic interview from the vaultshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/14/steve-earle-classic-interview-rocks-backpages
<p>In 1987, Steve Earle was tearing up Nashville with his band the Dukes. To mark his 60th birthday this week, here’s a classic piece from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>, the online home of music writing, originally published in Sounds</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/14/steve-earle-classic-interview-rocks-backpages">Continue reading...</a>MusicCountryAmericanaSteve EarlePop and rockCultureWed, 14 Jan 2015 11:40:50 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/14/steve-earle-classic-interview-rocks-backpagesRalph Traitor2015-01-14T11:40:50ZGeorge Clinton: 'We work ourselves up so much there’s a danger of hurting ourselves'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/07/george-clinton-guardian-funkadelic
<p>In March, the Guardian’s Alexis Petridis will discuss an extraordinary life and career with Funkadelic’s George Clinton. Here’s a taste of what to expect, in an interview by <strong>Phil Symes</strong> from 1971, originally published in Disc and Music Echo – taken from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages </a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/may/21/psychedelic-soul-10-of-the-best">• Psychedelic soul: 10 of the best</a><br><a href="https://membership.theguardian.com/event/14906128632">• Find out more about Guardian Live: A Life in Music with George Clinton</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/07/george-clinton-guardian-funkadelic">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureGeorge ClintonSoulWed, 07 Jan 2015 13:04:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/07/george-clinton-guardian-funkadelicPhil Symes2015-01-07T13:04:13ZSlade: 'We don’t do no rock operas. We’re doin’ a cock opera'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/17/slade-we-dont-do-no-rock-operas-were-doin-a-cock-opera
<p>It’s Chrisssssstmassssssss. So this week’s Rock’s Backpages gives us the gift of the one and only <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2002/apr/12/artsfeatures.music">Lester Bangs</a> speaking to Slade – in particularly lewd form – for Let It Rock back in October 1973<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/17/slade-we-dont-do-no-rock-operas-were-doin-a-cock-opera">Continue reading...</a>ChristmasPop and rockMusicCultureWed, 17 Dec 2014 12:32:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/17/slade-we-dont-do-no-rock-operas-were-doin-a-cock-operaLester Bangs2014-12-17T12:32:07ZFrank Sinatra: Songs for Young Lovers and other Capitol reissueshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/10/frank-sinatra-songs-for-young-lovers-and-other-capitol-reissues
<p>Following Bob Dylan’s announcement that he is to release an album of Sinatra covers, this week’s Rock’s Backpages takes a definitive look at the career of Ol’ Blue Eyes with a 1984 NME review of his greatest collection<br></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/09/bob-dylan-new-album-shadows-in-the-night-frank-sinatra">Dylan announces Sinatra covers album, Shadows in the Night</a><br></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/10/frank-sinatra-songs-for-young-lovers-and-other-capitol-reissues">Continue reading...</a>Frank SinatraMusicCulturePop and rockWed, 10 Dec 2014 10:55:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/10/frank-sinatra-songs-for-young-lovers-and-other-capitol-reissuesRichard Cook2014-12-10T10:55:51ZMadonna: 'I don’t see anything pornographic about beautiful pictures of naked women'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/03/madonna-pornographic-pictures-naked-women-interview
<p>Her Interview cover shoot caused a media meltdown earlier this week, but Madonna’s candid approach to sexuality stretches back decades. To remind us all of her penchant for provocation, here’s part one of a piece from September 1992 around the release of her book Sex, an interview originally published in NME and lifted from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2014/nov/12/madonnas-like-a-virgin-turns-30-in-pictures">• Madonna’s Like a Virgin turns 30 - in pictures</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/03/madonna-pornographic-pictures-naked-women-interview">Continue reading...</a>MadonnaPop and rockSexualityMusicCultureWed, 03 Dec 2014 12:28:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/03/madonna-pornographic-pictures-naked-women-interviewGavin Martin2014-12-03T12:28:20ZMark Owen – 'I didn’t give a damn about what was going on outside'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/26/take-that-mark-owen-a-classic-interview
<p>The man whose creative input to Take That mainly amounted to fragments of B-sides went on to record a solo indie album after the boyband’s split. Amid Take That’s 2014 comeback, here’s Keith Cameron’s NME interview with the singer from 1997 - lifted from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/26/take-that-mark-owen-a-classic-interview">Continue reading...</a>Take ThatPop and rockWed, 26 Nov 2014 12:41:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/26/take-that-mark-owen-a-classic-interviewKeith Cameron2014-11-26T12:41:58ZRide: 'It's sad when people make fools of themselves'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/19/ride-its-sad-when-people-make-fools-of-themselves
<p>With Ride re-forming, let’s return to the height of Ridemania with this classic piece from Sounds, published in 1991, taken from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>, the home of music writing</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/19/ride-reunite-for-first-shows-in-20-years">Ride reunite for first shows in 20 years</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/19/ride-its-sad-when-people-make-fools-of-themselves">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockIndieCultureWed, 19 Nov 2014 12:53:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/19/ride-its-sad-when-people-make-fools-of-themselvesCathi Unsworth2014-11-19T12:53:47Z'This has to be the biggest rave this century' – a classic feature from the vaultshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/12/this-has-to-be-the-biggest-rave-this-century-berlin-dance-music-scene-1989-wall
<p>A trip to investigate the Berlin dance music scene in November 1989 went awry with the fall of the Wall, in this piece from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>, originally published in New Music News</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/12/this-has-to-be-the-biggest-rave-this-century-berlin-dance-music-scene-1989-wall">Continue reading...</a>MusicDance musicElectronic musicGermanyCultureEuropeWed, 12 Nov 2014 15:39:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/12/this-has-to-be-the-biggest-rave-this-century-berlin-dance-music-scene-1989-wallJack Barron2014-11-12T15:39:29ZNick Drake: requiem for a solitary man – a classic feature from the vaultshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/05/nick-drake-requiem-for-a-solitary-man
<p>To mark the 40th anniversary of the singer’s death, we reprint the NME’s obituary, taken from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>, in which Nick Kent casts a wry eye over Drake’s Cambridge education, assesses his output, and contests the coronor’s suicide verdict</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/mar/12/10-of-the-best-nick-drake">10 of the best: Nick Drake</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/05/nick-drake-requiem-for-a-solitary-man">Continue reading...</a>Nick DrakeFolk musicPop and rockMusicCultureWed, 05 Nov 2014 15:47:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/05/nick-drake-requiem-for-a-solitary-manNick Kent2014-11-05T15:47:30ZBob Dylan's Basement Tapes – a review from 1967http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/29/bob-dylans-basement-tapes-review-1967-rocks-backpages
<p>Before the official release of Bob Dylan’s The Basement Tapes: The Bootleg Series Vol 11, here’s a track-by-track breakdown of the original recordings that inspired the series, a piece first published on 9 December 1967 in Record Mirror, and now provided by <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages </a></p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2014/oct/27/hear-bob-dylans-the-basement-tapes-the-bootleg-series-vol-11">Hear Bob Dylan’s The Basement Tapes: The Bootleg Series Vol 11</a><br></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/29/bob-dylans-basement-tapes-review-1967-rocks-backpages">Continue reading...</a>Bob DylanPop and rockMusicCultureWed, 29 Oct 2014 15:31:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/29/bob-dylans-basement-tapes-review-1967-rocks-backpagesNorman Jopling2014-10-29T15:31:45ZArthur Russell: 'Comedy is the highest form of art' - a rare interview from 1987http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/22/arthur-russell-comedy-is-the-highest-form-of-art-a-rare-interview-from-1987
<p>Following the release of Red Hot + Arthur Russell, a new covers album paying tribute to the late artist, here’s an interview, originally published in Melody Maker, with the slippery master of the avant-garde that details his often vexed relationship with American music and its history</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/17/arthur-russell-alexis-taylor-devandra-banhart">Arthur Russell: celebrating pop’s eclectic outsider</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/22/arthur-russell-comedy-is-the-highest-form-of-art-a-rare-interview-from-1987">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureExperimental musicWed, 22 Oct 2014 12:21:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/22/arthur-russell-comedy-is-the-highest-form-of-art-a-rare-interview-from-1987Frank Owen2014-10-22T12:21:35ZThe gospel according to Jerry Lee Lewis – a classic interviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/15/the-gospel-according-to-jerry-lee-lewis-classic-interview-1979
<p>‘I could take that there tape-recorder and shove it up your …’ As the country star prepares for the release of his new album Rock &amp; Roll Time, here’s an interview originally published in Country Music in October 1979 </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/15/the-gospel-according-to-jerry-lee-lewis-classic-interview-1979">Continue reading...</a>Jerry Lee LewisPop and rockCountryMusicCultureThe BibleChristianityLouisianaWed, 15 Oct 2014 14:51:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/15/the-gospel-according-to-jerry-lee-lewis-classic-interview-1979Nick Tosches2014-10-15T14:51:41ZOzzy Osbourne on being Ozzy: 'You got to be somebody special'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/08/ozzy-osbourne-spin-magazine-1986-interview-black-sabbath
<p>As the Black Sabbath frontman prepares to release Memoirs of a Madman, here’s a 1986 Spin interview about going solo, accusations that his music encourages suicide and whether he puts secret messages in his songs</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/29/black-sabbath-to-record-new-album-and-tour">• Black Sabbath to record new album and tour one more time</a><br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/08/ozzy-osbourne-spin-magazine-1986-interview-black-sabbath">Continue reading...</a>Ozzy OsbourneMusicCultureMetalPop and rockWed, 08 Oct 2014 11:14:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/08/ozzy-osbourne-spin-magazine-1986-interview-black-sabbathGlenn O’Brien2014-10-08T11:14:44ZThe Replacements: 'We’re arrogant little pricks' – a classic interviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/01/the-replacements-interview-rocks-backpages
<p>To mark the 30th anniversary of their classic album Let It Be, here’s a classic interview with the Replacements – ‘one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands in the universe’ – published in Creem back in September 1986, and taken from <a href="http://www.rocksbackpages.com/">Rock’s Backpages</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/01/the-replacements-interview-rocks-backpages">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePunkPop and rockWed, 01 Oct 2014 15:54:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/oct/01/the-replacements-interview-rocks-backpagesBill Holdship2014-10-01T15:54:04ZNeneh Cherry: 'I’ve got new music that feels better than anything I’ve ever done'http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/03/neneh-cherry-interview
<p>With Blank Project, her first solo album in 18 years, the musician contemplates a new generation of strong female performers and why they shouldn’t compromise</p><p>It’s moving-in madness at Neneh Cherry’s house. Back to London after eight years in Stockholm, her phones aren’t working, missing leads are still packed away and there’s a houseful of people to boot. </p><p>“There are always heaps of people at my house, whatever we do,” says the musician, reeling through the roll call. “There are no extra bodies in my room,” she says with that unmistakable husky laugh, “but I don’t know if I want to look.”<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/feb/20/neneh-cherry-blank-project-review">Neneh Cherry: Blank Project – review</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/03/neneh-cherry-interview">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureElectronic musicWorld musicIndiePop and rockHip-hopAustralia newsTue, 03 Mar 2015 06:08:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/mar/03/neneh-cherry-interviewAlexandra Spring2015-03-03T06:08:28ZGraham Coxon on the Blur reunion: ‘Pop doesn’t have to be a fleeting thing’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/blur-graham-coxon-is-our-sound-still-relevant
The former Britpop superstars surprised everyone by announcing their first album together for 16 years. Guitarist Graham Coxon explains how it began with a chance meeting in Hong Kong …<p>When a big-name pop band gets back together after a long gap it sometimes counts as more than a music industry event or a news headline. For those people who fell in love with a group during their youth, the reunion can feel like meeting up with their younger selves again. Vocals and sounds that once defined a mood are suddenly back in currency.</p><p>So the members of Blur – singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bass player Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree – trod very carefully and quietly as they put all the pieces in place before going public with <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/19/blur-announce-the-magic-whip-their-first-new-album-for-12-years" title="link to Guardian news">news of their album <em>The Magic Whip</em></a>, the first they have made as a four-piece for 16 years. <a href="http://www.bst-hydepark.com" title="link to guaridan site">In the 1990s their band</a> stood for a cocky, clever sort of dissent and, as Coxon told the <em>Observer</em>, they did not want to say they were back until they knew what they had.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/blur-graham-coxon-is-our-sound-still-relevant">Continue reading...</a>BlurGraham CoxonDamon AlbarnPop and rockBritpopMusicSun, 01 Mar 2015 00:05:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/blur-graham-coxon-is-our-sound-still-relevantVanessa Thorpe2015-03-01T00:05:03ZThe ballad of James Bayhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/the-ballad-of-james-bay-chaos-and-calm
Too handsome, too talented, Hertfordshire’s finest troubadour is an easy target for critics. His response, he tells Tim Lewis, is to keep on singing<p>In early February, under a railway bridge in Camden, beside the pub made famous by Amy Winehouse’s patronage, a huge poster of the English musician <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/04/james-bay-named-brits-critics-choice-winner-for-2015">James Bay</a> appeared. The billboard announced the release of the 24-year-old singer-songwriter’s debut album, <em> Chaos and the Calm</em>, on 23 March. But the timing and the placement of the ad must also have been strategic: it was pasted up a couple of days before his gig down the road at Koko, the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/james-bay-review-koko-london">biggest show</a> of his life so far. Many fans would have seen it as they travelled to the venue; perhaps even Bay himself as he came in from his flat in north London.</p><p>When I meet Bay on the morning after the gig – a happening notable for a) the crowd knowing word-for-word songs from an album that hasn’t even come out yet and b) a lot of people wearing fedoras, Bay’s trademark, like an <em>Indiana Jones</em> convention – I ask if he had driven past the poster on the way to Koko. “I still haven’t seen it, but someone sent me a photo and I’m buzzing,” he replies. “Wow! Oh, mad! Crazy! It’s a big moment for me, man. We’ve all grown up seeing things like that and it will be so cool to go up to it in person.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/the-ballad-of-james-bay-chaos-and-calm">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureFashionLife and styleSat, 28 Feb 2015 23:00:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/28/the-ballad-of-james-bay-chaos-and-calmTim Lewis2015-02-28T23:00:01ZPete Wentz: ‘We felt underappreciated by some of the fans’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/pete-wentz-fall-out-boy-reformed-interview
The notorious bassist of reformed US punk poppers Fall Out Boy on split-ups, dick pic humiliation, and childhood nightmares<p><strong>Hi Pete! The reformed Fall Out Boy have just announced two shows at Wembley Arena in October – is this the age-old trick of pretending to split up for three years until people start caring again? </strong></p><p>The truth is, when the break happened <strong>(1)</strong> – I can only speak for myself personally – but I didn’t want to go on a break. I was not interested. It was really hard for me and I went through a hard time in my own life. To me it was potentially a break-up where maybe you get back together. But I can’t think of that many bands off the top of my head that broke up, took time off and then came back and played new material that was played on the radio. That was the real trick that we attempted.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/pete-wentz-fall-out-boy-reformed-interview">Continue reading...</a>Fall Out BoyPop and rockMusicCultureSocial mediaFri, 27 Feb 2015 16:58:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/pete-wentz-fall-out-boy-reformed-interviewMark Beaumont2015-02-27T16:58:30ZRun the Jewels on hip-hop's golden age, playing Ferguson and America's civil rights problemhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/run-the-jewels-on-hip-hops-golden-age-playing-ferguson-and-americas-civil-rights-problem
The duo’s mix of braggadocio and political anger has finally earned Killer Mike and EL-P critical and commercial acclaim. ‘There was no overnight with us,’ they say<p>Seated in the restaurant of an east London hotel, El-P and Killer Mike are running through recent events. The past few months, they say, have been pretty tumultuous ones in the career of Run the Jewels, packed with startling highs and lows. At one extreme, their second album, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2014/oct/31/run-the-jewels-2-elp-killer-mike-video-review">Run the Jewels 2</a>, the result of an experiment in which the duo secluded themselves away in a rural studio in upstate New York – “Convincing Mike to spend two weeks in the woods is not the easiest thing in the world,” notes El-P – was released. It garnered acclaim even more deafening than <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/09/run-the-jewels-review">that which greeted its predecessor</a>, critics boggling at the dexterity with which it flipped between entertainingly foul-mouthed alpha-male braggadocio – “You can all run backwards naked through a field of dicks,” it offers at one particularly colourful juncture – and righteous political anger and unsparing self-examination. At the other extreme, groans Killer Mike, its success inspired his eldest son to announce that he had decided to pursue a career as a rapper, an event he gloomily describes as “the worst day of my life, except the time he decided to get a tongue ring to impress a girl”.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/06/run-the-jewels-2-review">Run the Jewels: Run the Jewels 2 review – hard-nosed disses and old-school storytelling</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/run-the-jewels-on-hip-hops-golden-age-playing-ferguson-and-americas-civil-rights-problem">Continue reading...</a>Run the JewelsCultureHip-hopUrban musicMusicThu, 26 Feb 2015 18:25:38 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/26/run-the-jewels-on-hip-hops-golden-age-playing-ferguson-and-americas-civil-rights-problemAlexis Petridis2015-02-26T18:25:38ZSam Smith: ‘Becoming famous? It isn’t necessarily a nice thing’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/sam-smith-becoming-famous-not-necessarily-nice-thing-grammy
The Cambridgeshire crooner has shot from obscurity to record-breaking success in an amazingly short time. But instant fame has come at a price<p>When they finally peel him out of bed it is almost three in the afternoon and Sam Smith, by his own reckoning, is still drunk. The pop star’s hotel room is “a state” (says Andrea, his PA) and the thick Burberry jacket that has been keeping him warm on this leg of his US tour is lost somewhere out in frozen New York. “I wouldn’t mind,” the PA keeps saying, calling around last night’s bars, “only it cost &pound;3,000.” In her handbag she has quantities of hangover pills but Smith opts for a more immediate next-day remedy and picks out chicken McNuggets from a box of 50 that his managers are sharing. When his dad stops by to deliver a mild paternal bollocking for the excesses of the night before, Smith says: “Dad! I’d just played Madison Square Garden. Did you think I was going to go to bed early?”</p><p>He is 22, unknown as recently as his 21st birthday, last night’s gig at America’s crown venue coming roughly three to five years ahead of even the most optimistic schedule, the cresting point of a steep, commercially atomic debut year. Awards from the off, including four Grammys. America broken (cracked over Smith’s navy-trousered knee). More than 5m copies of a debut album sold, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jun/26/sam-smith-breaks-us-sales-records-reaches-no-2">record-breaking first-week numbers</a> clocked along the way and Smith the only musician of 2014, all told, to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/18/sam-smith-only-artist-to-shift-1m-albums-in-uk-us-2014">shift more than 1m units</a> on both sides of the Atlantic. Pals made of Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Elton John – who recently invited Smith over for tea. “Like butter,” Beyonc&eacute; has said of Smith’s splendid tenor and Blige put it no less prettily: his voice “covers you”. Meanwhile, instead of compliments, a wealthy New Yorker gave the boy from Cambridgeshire the free use of a Manhattan penthouse whenever he passed through town.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/25/in-the-lonely-hour-review-sam-smith-less-ordinary-name-suggests">In the Lonely Hour review – Sam Smith is less ordinary than his name suggests</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/26/sam-smith-stay-with-mes-similarity-to-tom-petty-hit-was-complete-coincidence">Sam Smith: Stay With Me's similarity to Tom Petty hit 'was coincidence'</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/sam-smith-becoming-famous-not-necessarily-nice-thing-grammy">Continue reading...</a>Sam SmithPop and rockMusicCultureSun, 22 Feb 2015 09:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/sam-smith-becoming-famous-not-necessarily-nice-thing-grammyTom Lamont2015-02-22T09:00:09ZViet Cong: ‘We get hate mail at every single show’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/viet-cong-post-punk
<p>Their name may not be to everyone’s taste, but the Canadian post-punk band have made one of the best-received albums of the year so far</p><p>Viet Cong are an industrial post-punk band from the really cold bit of Canada. They write songs called things like Pointless Existence that go, “If we’re lucky we’ll get old and die.” Their debut album ends with an 11-minute jam simply called Death. These facts may lead you to make certain assumptions about Viet Cong as people: namely that an afternoon down the pub in their company will be gloomier than Morrissey on a coach tour of mass-market abattoirs. </p><p>The suspicion that a morbid thundercloud hangs over the band gets stronger still once you know their history. Frontman and bassist Matt Flegel and drummer Mike Wallace were both in celebrated Calgary art-rock band Women until Matt got into a fist fight with his guitarist brother Patrick. They were onstage at the time, in the inauspiciously named Lucky Bar in Victoria, Canada. When Mike got up from his drumkit that night, he told the audience: “My music career is over.” Women were still officially on hiatus when their other guitarist, Christopher Reimer, died in his sleep from a heart condition at the age of 26.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/viet-cong-post-punk">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureMon, 23 Feb 2015 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/viet-cong-post-punkKevin EG Perry2015-02-23T09:00:00ZBabes in Toyland: ‘Our reunion is all about the friendship’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/babes-in-toyland-reunion-interview
<p>The influential all-female US punk band have reformed to delight a new generation of fans, but not before overcoming personal trauma and tragedy. We join them at their first reunion gig</p><p>A left turn off the road to Joshua Tree takes you away from the straggle of budget motels, restaurants and vintage stores that run along Route 62, out to where the desert grows wider and the land settles into red rock and cacti and sharp blue light.</p><p>A few miles along this road brings you to Pioneertown, a one-time western movie set that is now home to Pappy &amp; Harriet’s, a bar famed for its mesquite barbecue and live music.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/babes-in-toyland-reunion-interview">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockPunkMusicCultureWomenLife and styleSun, 22 Feb 2015 07:30:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/babes-in-toyland-reunion-interviewLaura Barton2015-02-22T07:30:03ZOn my radar: Panda Bear’s cultural highlightshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noah-lennox-panda-bear-cultural-highlights
The experimental musician on the possibilities of virtual reality and computer intelligence, and where to get great ice-cream <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noah-lennox-panda-bear-cultural-highlights">Continue reading...</a>Animal CollectivePop and rockMusicCultureSun, 01 Mar 2015 06:45:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/01/noah-lennox-panda-bear-cultural-highlightsKathryn Bromwich2015-03-01T06:45:11ZRene LaVice’s favourite trackshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/rene-lavice-favourite-tracks
<p>The drum’n’basser with big new single The Calling empties the contents of his psychic record bag</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/rene-lavice-favourite-tracks">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 18:00:04 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/rene-lavice-favourite-tracksBen Beaumont-Thomas2015-02-27T18:00:04ZNew faces: meet James Bayhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/new-faces-australia-meet-james-bay
<p>He’s picking up Brit Awards – <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/james-bay-brit-award-pop-bland-adele-extreme-noise-terror-sam-smith-ellie-goulding">and criticism</a> – back home, but the man in the hat is becoming an Australian favourite after sell-out gigs in Sydney and Melbourne</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/new-faces-australia-meet-james-bay">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureFri, 27 Feb 2015 06:38:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/27/new-faces-australia-meet-james-bayAlexandra Spring2015-02-27T06:38:24ZDarren Hanlon: on searching and songs from the southhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/darren-hanlon-on-searching-and-songs-from-the-south
<p>From Portland to Broken Hill, Erik Jensen charts his friend’s search for musicians, meaning and music <br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/darren-hanlon-on-searching-and-songs-from-the-south">Continue reading...</a>Folk musicMusicIndieCultureTue, 24 Feb 2015 05:43:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/24/darren-hanlon-on-searching-and-songs-from-the-southErik Jensen2015-02-24T05:43:01ZFacing the music: Noah Stewarthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/facing-the-music-noah-stewart-opera-singer-interview
<p>Nat King Cole, Nina Simone and New York City – tenor Noah Stewart on his musical passions on and off the stage</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/facing-the-music-noah-stewart-opera-singer-interview">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicOperaCultureMusicalsMusicStageMon, 23 Feb 2015 07:00:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/23/facing-the-music-noah-stewart-opera-singer-interviewGuardian Staff2015-02-23T07:00:20ZOne to watch: Leon Bridgeshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/leon-bridges-vintage-soul-one-to-watch
The vintage soul singer credits Sam Cooke with helping him find his voice – ‘the simplicity just sounded so good’ <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/leon-bridges-vintage-soul-one-to-watch">Continue reading...</a>SoulMusicSun, 22 Feb 2015 10:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/leon-bridges-vintage-soul-one-to-watchJude Rogers2015-02-22T10:00:06ZAt home with the world’s most dedicated record collectorshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/dust-and-grooves-eilon-paz-vinyl-record-collectors
<p>For his cult Dust &amp; Grooves website, Eilon Paz photographs vinyl obsessives alongside their extensive collections. The resulting pictures and interviews, now published in print, reveal a highly personal and passionate take on music culture</p><p><br>• <a href="http://gu.com/p/46v6a">Eilon Paz’s photographs of vinyl obsessives – in pictures</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/dust-and-grooves-eilon-paz-vinyl-record-collectors">Continue reading...</a>VinylPhotographyMusicArt and designCultureSun, 22 Feb 2015 00:05:05 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/22/dust-and-grooves-eilon-paz-vinyl-record-collectorsKillian Fox2015-02-22T00:05:05ZDaniele Baldelli’s favourite trackshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/daniele-aldelli-favourite-tracks
The Italian exponent of space-age disco empties the contents of his psychic record bag<br /> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/daniele-aldelli-favourite-tracks">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureFri, 20 Feb 2015 18:00:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/daniele-aldelli-favourite-tracksBen Beaumont-Thomas2015-02-20T18:00:07ZBlur's Dave Rowntree: blood pacts, musical tension and keeping a secret in the digital agehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/blurs-dave-rowntree-blood-pacts-musical-tension-and-keeping-a-secret-in-the-digital-age
<p>In creating <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/19/blur-announce-the-magic-whip-their-first-new-album-for-12-years">The Magic Whip</a>, surprising everyone with their first album for 12 years, Blur’s drummer thinks they may have made their best album ever<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/blurs-dave-rowntree-blood-pacts-musical-tension-and-keeping-a-secret-in-the-digital-age">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureIndieBlurPop and rockBritpopFri, 20 Feb 2015 16:05:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/blurs-dave-rowntree-blood-pacts-musical-tension-and-keeping-a-secret-in-the-digital-ageHarriet Gibsone2015-02-20T16:05:22ZArcade Fire's Will Butler: 'My goal in art is to be like Moby-Dick'http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dick
<p>The multi-instrumentalist and composer will write a song a day from 23 February for a week about a different Guardian news story. Here, he talks about optimism in the face of world horrors, sibling rivalry and his debut solo album, Policy </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dick">Continue reading...</a>IndieArcade FirePop and rockMusicCultureFri, 20 Feb 2015 12:29:33 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/20/arcade-fires-will-butler-my-goal-in-art-is-to-be-like-moby-dickDave Simpson2015-02-20T12:29:33ZThe Necks' Tony Buck on improvising: 'let's not force anything, just chill'http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/the-necks-tony-buck-on-improvising-lets-not-force-anything-just-chill
<p>Australian improv trio’s drummer meditates on bypassing the brain onstage and why all musicians just want to be free</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/the-necks-tony-buck-on-improvising-lets-not-force-anything-just-chill">Continue reading...</a>Experimental musicMusicJazzCultureThu, 19 Feb 2015 22:43:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/20/the-necks-tony-buck-on-improvising-lets-not-force-anything-just-chillMarcus Teague2015-02-19T22:43:16ZHow well do you know these musicians' open letters? – quizhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/11/musicians-open-letters-shirley-manson-kanye-west-miley-cyrus-quiz
Garbage's Shirley Manson <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/10/shirley-manson-open-letter-kanye-west-small-petty-spoilt-beck-grammy-incident"target=_"blank">told rapper Kanye West to 'grow up'</a> in an open letter this week, following his comments about Beck's album of the year Grammy win. Can you remember the details of these epistolary musical tiffs? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/11/musicians-open-letters-shirley-manson-kanye-west-miley-cyrus-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockIndieU2BonoLauryn HillJames BluntRoger WatersWed, 11 Feb 2015 13:11:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/11/musicians-open-letters-shirley-manson-kanye-west-miley-cyrus-quizTshepo Mokoena2015-02-11T13:11:23ZAll You Need is Lolly: how well do you know Beatles memorabilia? – quizhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/18/beatles-memorabilia-auction-hamburg-recordings-quiz
As early 1960s recordings of the Beatles' formative gigs in Hamburg are <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/14/beatles-hamburg-recordings-sale"target="_blank">due to go under the hammer</a>, test your knowledge of past unusual Fab Four auctions <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/18/beatles-memorabilia-auction-hamburg-recordings-quiz">Continue reading...</a>The BeatlesPop and rockCultureInvestmentsMusicJohn LennonGeorge HarrisonRingo StarrPaul McCartneyWed, 18 Feb 2015 12:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/feb/18/beatles-memorabilia-auction-hamburg-recordings-quizTshepo Mokoena2015-02-18T12:00:00ZHow well do you know Blink-182? Test your pop-punk knowledgehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/27/popandrock-punk
With Blink-182 tearing themselves apart from within, what better time to test your knowledge of the tattooed love boys? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/27/popandrock-punk">Continue reading...</a>MusicPop and rockPunkCultureTue, 27 Jan 2015 14:45:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/27/popandrock-punkGuardian music2015-01-27T14:45:09ZHow well do you know your lyrical innuendo? Test your knowledgehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/jan/23/fifty-shades-of-grey-innuendo-sex-lyrics-quiz
The Weeknd's video for a song from the forthcoming 50 Shades of Grey film soundtrack <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/23/fifty-shades-of-grey-earned-it-weeknd-music-video-erotica-ellie-goulding-love-me-like-you-do"target=_"blank">leaves little to the imagination</a>, but sexual songs can be done with subtlety. How many of these lyrical double entendres do you know? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/jan/23/fifty-shades-of-grey-innuendo-sex-lyrics-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureFifty Shades of GreyBeyoncéJustin TimberlakePeter GabrielBlack Eyed PeasPop and rockRapMetalRammsteinPrinceFri, 23 Jan 2015 16:22:31 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2015/jan/23/fifty-shades-of-grey-innuendo-sex-lyrics-quizGuardian music2015-01-23T16:22:31ZHow well do you know the charts? Test your top 40 knowledgehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/15/test-your-top-40-knowledge-quiz
Is Sam Smith really singing about a dodgy curry? Does James Bay wear a colostomy bag? Find out how much you know about the charts <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/15/test-your-top-40-knowledge-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockThu, 15 Jan 2015 19:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2015/jan/15/test-your-top-40-knowledge-quizGuardian music2015-01-15T19:30:00ZWhat's the score? The classical music quiz of the yearhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/22/classical-music-quiz-of-the-year-2014
Were you paying attention in 2014? See how many of these comings and goings, firsts and lasts, and highs and lows you remember <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/22/classical-music-quiz-of-the-year-2014">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureMon, 22 Dec 2014 08:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/22/classical-music-quiz-of-the-year-2014Tom Service and Imogen Tilden2014-12-22T08:00:00ZQuiz: can you identify 2014's dance-pop chart toppers?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/19/2014-number-one-quiz
This year's charts were full of charismatic, entirely memorable new British house stars who got to No 1 with brilliant songs. Can you name ANY of them? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/19/2014-number-one-quiz">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureFri, 19 Dec 2014 11:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/19/2014-number-one-quizPRCan you guess the pop starGuardian Staff2014-12-19T11:30:00ZShow me the funny: name the musician's comedy cameo – quizhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/10/music-comedy-josh-homme-toast-of-london-quiz
Earnest by nature, musicians now and again like to prove they're in on the joke by appearing in popular TV comedies. Most recently, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme enjoyed a turn in Matt Berry's masterpiece Toast of London. Can you name the musicians involved in these other comedy appearances? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/10/music-comedy-josh-homme-toast-of-london-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureComedyWed, 10 Dec 2014 16:59:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/10/music-comedy-josh-homme-toast-of-london-quizHarriet Gibsone2014-12-10T16:59:57ZRock's greatest stand-in musicians – quizhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/02/rock-stand-in-musicians-u2-springsteen-chris-martin-quiz
Chris Martin and Bruce Springsteen had to stand in for a stricken Bono in New York, but rock has a rich history of temporary stand-ins. Test your knowledge … <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/02/rock-stand-in-musicians-u2-springsteen-chris-martin-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicU2Bruce SpringsteenColdplayTue, 02 Dec 2014 14:16:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/dec/02/rock-stand-in-musicians-u2-springsteen-chris-martin-quizMichael Hann2014-12-02T14:16:30ZQuiz: What did the artist say about the internet?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/26/internet-musicians-prince-taylor-swift-billy-bragg
The internet is the future and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Unless you are Prince, who has recently removed his presence from the web. But what else have some of the most outspoken names in music said about our digital futures? Attribute the correct statement to the musician for a chance to win nothing <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/26/internet-musicians-prince-taylor-swift-billy-bragg">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockSpotifyThom YorkeTaylor SwiftPrinceWed, 26 Nov 2014 16:46:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/26/internet-musicians-prince-taylor-swift-billy-braggGareth Fuller/PASome of Prince's most obsessive fans are believed to be among the targets of a lawsuit filed in San Francisco’s US district court. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PAHarriet Gibsone2014-11-26T16:46:48ZBand Aid 30 quiz: Do you know who sings what?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/17/band-aid-30-quiz-who-sings-what
Just say a prayer – pray that you know which one! We want you to identify the singers of the individual lines in Do They Know It's Christmas?<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/16/band-aid-do-they-know-its-christmas-2014-review">Alexis Petridis reviews Band Aid 30</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/17/band-aid-30-quiz-who-sings-what">Continue reading...</a>Band Aid 30Band AidMusicPop and rockCultureMon, 17 Nov 2014 10:17:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/17/band-aid-30-quiz-who-sings-whatGuardian music2014-11-17T10:17:40ZQuiz: Test your UK singles chart knowledgehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/10/uk-chart-records-quiz
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has become the first British solo female artist to have five number one UK singles – so which other UK chart trivia can you recall? <br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/nov/10/cheryl-becomes-first-british-woman-to-have-five-no-1-singles">Cheryl becomes first British woman to have five No 1 singles</a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/10/uk-chart-records-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCheryl ColeMusic industryPop and rockCultureMon, 10 Nov 2014 15:46:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/nov/10/uk-chart-records-quizGuardian music2014-11-10T15:46:21ZQuiz: can you identify these Radiohead music videos?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/09/radiohead-music-videos-identify-quiz
As Jonny Greenwood scores the Inherent Vice soundtrack, Thom Yorke sails past the million download mark with his BitTorrent bundle and the rest of Radiohead hunker down in the studio, we ask, how well do you know their music videos? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/09/radiohead-music-videos-identify-quiz">Continue reading...</a>RadioheadMusicCultureElectronic musicThom YorkeIndieThu, 09 Oct 2014 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/09/radiohead-music-videos-identify-quizTshepo Mokoena2014-10-09T13:59:00ZRoll over Beethoven: who really wrote these famous pieces of music?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/03/real-composers-classical-music-quiz
As Opera North open a new production of L'Incoronazione di Poppea – whose best-known final aria was most probably not even written by Monteverdi – we ask if you know the real guiding hands behind these other well-known bits of classical music? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/03/real-composers-classical-music-quiz">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicOperaMusicFri, 03 Oct 2014 12:08:39 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/oct/03/real-composers-classical-music-quizTristram Kenton for the GuardianA scene from The Coronation of Poppea. Photograph: Tristram Kenton for the GuardianImogen Tilden2014-10-03T12:08:39ZQuiz: Who are these unmasked musicians?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/oct/02/identify-unmasked-bands-producers-djs-quiz
Mysteriously masked electronic producer SBTRKT releases his album in the UK this week, and in the US on 7 October. Can you identify these musicians, without their usual masks on? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/oct/02/identify-unmasked-bands-producers-djs-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureElectronic musicPop and rockMetalThu, 02 Oct 2014 10:49:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/oct/02/identify-unmasked-bands-producers-djs-quizTshepo Mokoena2014-10-02T10:49:00ZQuiz: Which pop stars made these feminist statements?http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/25/quiz-pop-feminist-statements
Body-positive singer and US chart-topper Meghan Trainor <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/23/meghan-trainor-i-dont-consider-myself-a-feminist-all-about-that-bass"target="_blank">has distanced herself</a> from the f-word. So can you match the pop artist to their stance on feminism? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/25/quiz-pop-feminist-statements">Continue reading...</a>MusicCulturePop and rockFeminismWomenMeghan TrainorThu, 25 Sep 2014 10:44:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/25/quiz-pop-feminist-statementsTshepo Mokoena2014-09-25T10:44:17ZQuiz: who wrote these massive pop hits?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/21/quiz-who-wrote-massive-pop-hits-robin-thicke-pharrell-williams
Robin Thicke last week admitted that his dodgy anthem Blurred Lines was almost entirely written by Pharrell Williams. How much do you know about the talent behind hit singles? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/21/quiz-who-wrote-massive-pop-hits-robin-thicke-pharrell-williams">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureSat, 20 Sep 2014 23:05:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/21/quiz-who-wrote-massive-pop-hits-robin-thicke-pharrell-williamsJames Arnold/PAKylie Minogue performing in 2000. But who co-wrote Spinning Around for her? Photograph: James Arnold/PAMichael Hogan2014-09-20T23:05:00ZQuiz: which pop stars have had an Aphex Twin makeover?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/19/aphex-twin-makeover-quiz
Aphex Twin could teach most musicians a thing or two about creating a striking publicity image. So can you tell which artists below have undergone a freaky Aphex-style transformation?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/18/aphex-twin-syro-review-brain-bending-richard-d-james">• Aphex Twin: Syro review </a> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/19/aphex-twin-makeover-quiz">Continue reading...</a>Aphex TwinMusicCulturePop and rockDance musicElectronic musicFri, 19 Sep 2014 10:24:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/19/aphex-twin-makeover-quizDean Stockings/PRAphex quiz image Photograph: Dean StockingsTim Jonze2014-09-19T10:24:00ZQuiz: How much do you know about Handel's operas?http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/16/quiz-how-much-do-you-know-about-handel-s-operas
With <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/16/xerxes-review-alice-coote-eno">Xerxes back at English National Opera</a>, find out if you're up to speed on Handel's many, many operas <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/16/quiz-how-much-do-you-know-about-handel-s-operas">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureGeorge Frideric HandelTue, 16 Sep 2014 12:55:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/quiz/2014/sep/16/quiz-how-much-do-you-know-about-handel-s-operasMarty Sohl/APRuth Ann Swenson and David Daniels in Handel's Giulio Cesare in New York. Photograph: Marty Sohl/APTom Service, Imogen Tilden2014-09-16T12:55:00ZCan you identify these David Bowie music videos?http://www.theguardian.com/global/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/10/can-you-identify-david-bowie-music-video-quiz
He's <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/sep/09/david-bowie-epic-new-single-sue-or-in-a-season-of-crime"target="_blank">releasing a single and huge compilation album</a> in November, but how many of his classic videos do you recognise? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/global/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/10/can-you-identify-david-bowie-music-video-quiz">Continue reading...</a>MusicDavid BowieCultureWed, 10 Sep 2014 14:44:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/global/musicblog/quiz/2014/sep/10/can-you-identify-david-bowie-music-video-quizFacundo Arrizabalaga/EPAA mural depicting British musician, David Bowie is seen in south London.er Photograph: Facundo Arrizabalaga/EPATshepo Mokoena2014-09-10T14:44:00ZGrammys 2015: the best and worst of the red carpet – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/08/grammys-2015-best-worst-red-carpet-rihanna-madonna
<p>From Madonna’s interpretation of the ‘sexy matador’ to Rihanna’s fluffy pink number, here’s a look at the best and worst fashions from the Grammys red carpet</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/08/grammys-2015-sam-smith-beck-beyonce">Sam Smith and Beck scoop the top prizes</a> </li><li> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/series/grammy-awards-2015">See all our 2015 Grammys coverage here</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/08/grammys-2015-best-worst-red-carpet-rihanna-madonna">Continue reading...</a>GrammysMusicCultureRihannaMadonnaNicki MinajKaty PerryPharrell WilliamsMon, 09 Feb 2015 01:33:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/08/grammys-2015-best-worst-red-carpet-rihanna-madonnaGuardian Staff2015-02-09T01:33:49ZGrammys 2015 winners – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/09/grammys-2015-winners-in-pictures
<p>Beyoncé, Sam Smith, Pharrell and Beck were just some of the big names to take home a golden gramophone at this year’s Grammy awards </p><p>• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2015/feb/08/grammy-2015-award-winners-and-performances-live">Grammys 2015: award winners and performances – live!</a> <br>• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/08/grammys-2015-best-worst-red-carpet-rihanna-madonna">Grammys 2015: the best and worst of the red carpet – in pictures</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/09/grammys-2015-winners-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>GrammysAwards and prizesCultureMusicPop and rockUrban musicHip-hopMon, 09 Feb 2015 02:20:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/09/grammys-2015-winners-in-picturesMonica Tan2015-02-09T02:20:23ZGeorge Clinton: a life in music – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/04/george-clinton-a-life-in-music-in-pictures
<p>Next month, George Clinton is coming to the UK for a special Guardian event in which he will <a href="https://membership.theguardian.com/event/guardian-live-a-life-in-music-george-clinton-14906128632">talk to Alexis Petridis about his life in music</a>. And just a glance at some images from that life proves how extraordinary it has been …</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/04/george-clinton-a-life-in-music-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>George ClintonMusicPop and rockSoulCultureWed, 04 Feb 2015 11:47:57 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/04/george-clinton-a-life-in-music-in-picturesGuardian Staff2015-02-04T11:47:57ZBjörk's album artwork: from sci-fi Mother Earth to McQueen's kimono – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/22/bjorks-album-artwork-in-pictures-vulnicura-biophilia
<p>Whether she’s playing it stark and simple or sitting in a giant egg with blue feet, Bjork’s cover art is as experimental as her music. To mark the release of her latest record, Vulnicura, here’s a look back over her album sleeves, featuring collaborations with Alexander McQueen, M/M Paris and others</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/bjork-vulnicura-first-listen-review">Björk – Vulnicura first-listen review</a><br></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/22/bjorks-album-artwork-in-pictures-vulnicura-biophilia">Continue reading...</a>BjorkMusicCulturePop and rockAlexander McQueenPhotographyArt and designFashionLife and styleThu, 22 Jan 2015 15:50:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/22/bjorks-album-artwork-in-pictures-vulnicura-biophiliaHarriet Gibsone2015-01-22T15:50:32ZLes Paul: the guitar of choice for Chuck Berry, Spinal Tap and the Sex Pistolshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/les-paul-guitar-chuck-berry-spinal-tap-sex-pistols
<p>The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/les-paul">Les Paul</a> has earned a reputation as the ultimate guitar for rock, blues and reggae greats. As the original Black Beauty model of the Gibson Les Paul guitar heads for auction next month in New York, here’s some of the brand’s most famous fans </p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/08/black-beauty-les-paul-original-gibson-up-for-auction">Les Paul’s original Gibson Les Paul goes up for auction</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/les-paul-guitar-chuck-berry-spinal-tap-sex-pistols">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureBluesPop and rockMetalChuck BerrySpinal TapEric ClaptonLed ZeppelinBob MarleyAerosmithThu, 08 Jan 2015 16:28:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/les-paul-guitar-chuck-berry-spinal-tap-sex-pistolsGuardian music2015-01-08T16:28:30ZBest moments of the Brit awards 2015 – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/26/taylor-kanye-and-madonna-best-moments-of-the-brit-awards-2015-in-pictures
<p>Speeches, selfies and slips: thanks to Taylor, Kanye and Madonna, this year’s ceremony delivered glitz, bleeps and one unfortunate fall from grace. Here are the night’s highlights and lowlights<br></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/26/taylor-kanye-and-madonna-best-moments-of-the-brit-awards-2015-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>Brit Awards 2015MusicCultureBrit awardsAwards and prizesMadonnaKanye WestTaylor SwiftPop and rockThu, 26 Feb 2015 00:35:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/26/taylor-kanye-and-madonna-best-moments-of-the-brit-awards-2015-in-picturesGuardian Staff2015-02-26T00:35:45ZEilon Paz's photographs of vinyl obsessives – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/22/eilon-pazs-photographs-vinyl-dust-and-grooves-record-collectors
<p>The photographer’s portraits of record collectors at home have become a cult hit on his Dust &amp; Grooves website</p><p><em>Dust &amp; Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting is available to order with local shipping rates from <a href="http://www.dustandgrooves.com/book/">dustandgrooves.com</a>. A third edition will be published by Ten Speed Press in September</em></p><ul><li><a href="http://gu.com/p/45p5d">Killian Fox speaks to photographer Eilon Paz</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/22/eilon-pazs-photographs-vinyl-dust-and-grooves-record-collectors">Continue reading...</a>VinylPop and rockMusicMusicPhotographySun, 22 Feb 2015 00:05:32 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/22/eilon-pazs-photographs-vinyl-dust-and-grooves-record-collectorsEilon Paz2015-02-22T00:05:32ZComing up: the gigs and albums not to miss in Marchhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/21/coming-up-the-gigs-and-albums-not-to-miss-in-march
<p>The Observer’s pop critic picks the month’s musical highlights, from Tinashe live to albums by Matthew E White and Sufjan Stevens </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/21/coming-up-the-gigs-and-albums-not-to-miss-in-march">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicSufjan StevensMatthew E WhiteUnderworldCourtney BarnettNicki MinajSat, 21 Feb 2015 16:00:11 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/21/coming-up-the-gigs-and-albums-not-to-miss-in-marchKitty Empire2015-02-21T16:00:11ZSimon Rattle conducts the Young Orchestra for London – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/16/simon-rattle-conducts-the-young-orchestra-for-london
<p>On the Sunday of his <a href="http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk//whatson/festivals-series/berliner-philharmoniker-2015">London Residency</a>, Sir Simon Rattle conducted the first-ever Young Orchestra for London – 100 Londoners aged 11-21, of mixed abilities, representing each of the city’s 33 boroughs</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/16/simon-rattle-conducts-the-young-orchestra-for-london">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicSimon RattleCultureMusicBerlin PhilharmonicMon, 16 Feb 2015 13:18:26 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/16/simon-rattle-conducts-the-young-orchestra-for-londonGuardian Staff2015-02-16T13:18:26ZBjörk: a career in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/15/bjork-a-career-in-pictures
<p>With an acclaimed new album, Vulnicura, and a MoMA exhibition due next month, the Icelandic star is back. Here we show images from a new book of essays and pictures, <a href="http://www.thamesandhudson.com/Bjork/9780500291948">Björk: Archives, published on 10 March (Thames &amp; Hudson, £40)</a></p><ul><li><a href="http://gu.com/p/45yk6/stw">Alex Ross: How Björk broke the sound barrier</a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/15/bjork-a-career-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>BjorkPop and rockMusicMusicPhotographyCultureSun, 15 Feb 2015 00:05:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/15/bjork-a-career-in-picturesGuardian Staff2015-02-15T00:05:12ZLaura Marling – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/01/laura-marling-in-pictures
<p>Laura Marling photographed at home in Los Angeles, shortly before she returned to Britain. By Patrick Fraser</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/01/laura-marling-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>Laura MarlingMusicCultureSun, 01 Feb 2015 00:01:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/feb/01/laura-marling-in-picturesPatrick Fraser for the Observer Magazine2015-02-01T00:01:12ZTamworth Country Music festival builds to the Golden Guitars – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/23/tamworth-country-music-festival-in-pictures
<p>As Tamworth’s annual celebration of all things country music heads for a crescendo on Saturday, here are some of the best photos of the festival</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/23/tamworth-country-music-festival-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>CountryBluesMusic festivalsFestivalsMusicNew South WalesAustralia newsCultureFri, 23 Jan 2015 06:10:07 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/23/tamworth-country-music-festival-in-picturesGuardian music2015-01-23T06:10:07ZHelen Green's reinventions of David Bowie – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/17/helen-greens-reinventions-of-david-bowie-in-pictures
<p>A lifelong fan of David Bowie, illustrator Helen Green has captured the star’s many reinventions with <a href="http://helengreenillustration.com/Time-May-Change-Me">29 mini-portraits</a>. The images, which span 50 years from 1964, were put together for Bowie’s 68th birthday this month. “I’ve grown up with Bowie’s music, and many of his albums are my all-time favourites,” says Green. “The way he has collected ideas and characters has always fascinated me.” Her favourite Bowie moment is his Ziggy Stardust performance on <em>Top of the Pops</em>. “He was dressed in a Freddie Burretti quilted jumpsuit with spiky red hair, and he looked otherworldly. When I saw the outfit at the V&amp;A in 2013 I was mesmerised.” See more of her work at<a href="http://helengreenillustration.com"> <em>helengreenillustration.com</em></a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/17/helen-greens-reinventions-of-david-bowie-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>David BowieIllustrationPop and rockMusicDesignArt and designCultureSat, 17 Jan 2015 23:00:08 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/17/helen-greens-reinventions-of-david-bowie-in-picturesKathryn Bromwich2015-01-17T23:00:08ZFrom Bridport bar gigs to glamrock riots and box-based sound sculptures: PJ Harvey – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/16/bridport-bar-gigs-glamrock-riots-box-based-sound-sculptures-pj-harvey-in-pictures
<p>With PJ Harvey starting the public recording session for her new album in a cube at Somerset House in London today, here’s a pictorial look back at her long and varied career</p><ul><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/14/pj-harvey-10-of-the-best">PJ Harvey: 10 of the best</a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/02/pj-harvey-glass-studio-energy-recording-process-somerset-house">PJ Harvey’s glass studio will put ‘energy of the recording process’ on view </a></li><li><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/16/pj-harvey-somerset-house-recording-in-progress">PJ Harvey: Recording in Progress review – a portrait in real time </a></li></ul> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/16/bridport-bar-gigs-glamrock-riots-box-based-sound-sculptures-pj-harvey-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>PJ HarveyMusicCulturePop and rockIndieFri, 16 Jan 2015 12:50:16 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/16/bridport-bar-gigs-glamrock-riots-box-based-sound-sculptures-pj-harvey-in-picturesGuardian music2015-01-16T12:50:16ZOrfeo at the Roundhouse: in rehearsalhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/13/orfeo-royal-opera-house-roundhouse-in-rehearsal-david-levene
<p>The Royal Opera House and the Roundhouse’s co-production of Monterverdi’s opera L’Orfeo – one of the first operas ever written – opens at the Roundhouse, London this week in a new staging by Michael Boyd, making his operatic debut. David Levene went along to photograph one of the final rehearsals.</p><p><a href="http://www.roh.org.uk/productions/orfeo-by-michael-boyd">Orfeo is at the Roundhouse from 13-24 January 2015</a>.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/13/orfeo-royal-opera-house-roundhouse-in-rehearsal-david-levene">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicOperaRoyal Opera HouseCultureTue, 13 Jan 2015 15:13:58 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/13/orfeo-royal-opera-house-roundhouse-in-rehearsal-david-leveneDavid Levene, Imogen Tilden2015-01-13T15:13:58ZJohn Cage Was ... photographs and introduction by James Klostyhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/john-cage-was-photographs-and-introduction-by-james-klosty
<p>My first contact with John Cage was in London in 1964. It was in the Phoenix Theatre on Charing Cross Road that I first saw the <a href="http://www.mercecunningham.org/">Merce Cunningham Dance Company</a>. Those performances galvanised me, seeming the closest thing to Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes that I could imagine: an exhilarating confluence of new choreography and new music, with innovative scenic designs and lighting by Robert Rauschenberg. I photographed the dance company from 1967 to 1972, and in 1975 I published the first book about Cunningham’s work. All the photographs in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/John-Cage-Was-James-Klosty/dp/0819575046">John Cage Was </a>come from those same five years. John and Merce were, of course, partners in life as in art, so John was always around and I got to know him well. Unlike Merce, John’s open nature was completely available to – and in fact often delighted in – the intrusions of my camera. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/john-cage-was-photographs-and-introduction-by-james-klosty">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicExperimental musicJohn CageDanceCultureArtThu, 08 Jan 2015 09:48:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/08/john-cage-was-photographs-and-introduction-by-james-klostyJames Klosty2015-01-08T09:48:13ZBaby Loves Disco - in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/01/baby-loves-disco-in-pictures
<p>Youngsters get into the groove at Baby Loves Disco in Edinburgh, a festive day-clubbing experience for babies, toddlers and their parents</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/01/baby-loves-disco-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>DiscoCultureDance musicEdinburghScotlandUK newsThu, 01 Jan 2015 11:08:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2015/jan/01/baby-loves-disco-in-picturesMurdo MacLeod2015-01-01T11:08:45ZObserver readers' hidden gems of 2014http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2014/dec/23/observer-readers-hidden-gems-of-2014
<p>Last week, Observer music critics nominated their <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/21/hidden-gems-2014-cds-got-away">hidden gems of 2014</a> – those albums that hadn’t got the coverage they deserved. Now it’s the readers’ turn…</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2014/dec/23/observer-readers-hidden-gems-of-2014">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMogwaiThe Ting TingsMusicCultureIndieTue, 23 Dec 2014 15:00:06 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2014/dec/23/observer-readers-hidden-gems-of-2014Daniel Dunford2014-12-23T15:00:06ZComposers on their premieres: 'This is the point where one has to let go'http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/composers-on-their-premieres-bray-davies-lang-matthews-weir-turnage
<p>The Birmingham Contemporary Music Group has helped music lovers fund commissions through its Sound Investment scheme for almost 30 years. Ahead of their 75th commission, leading composers recall the nerves – and joy – of hearing their works come to life for the first time</p><p>Fire Burning in Snow sets three poems by Nicki Jackowska, collated to form a sequence about love and love lost from various perspectives. Setting the work of a living poet made this particular commission very special; I was able to discuss words and meanings with Nicki, who was at the final rehearsal and the premiere. I was curious to see how she would respond to the setting. After the performance, she told me the words now felt like something other than her poetry – with the music, the piece transformed to something beyond the words that she had written.<br /></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/composers-on-their-premieres-bray-davies-lang-matthews-weir-turnage">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureTue, 24 Feb 2015 11:51:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/feb/24/composers-on-their-premieres-bray-davies-lang-matthews-weir-turnageGuardian Staff2015-02-24T11:51:52ZSteve Strange: a beautiful maverick who understood the power of mythhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/steve-strange-a-beautiful-maverick-who-understood-the-power-of-myth
<p>Gary Kemp remembers the charismatic Blitz Kid at the heart of the New Romantic movement<br></p><p>The1980s began in 1978 when a young Welsh boy called Steve Strange waved his magic wand upon the heads of his young hopefuls waiting to descend the stairs into his Tuesday night dreamworld. Exotically dressed fashion students, ex-soul boys and disaffected punks, all redesigned on a shoestring, stood out boldly against the backdrop of grey, seedy Soho, unrecognisable from today’s alfresco, laissez-faire boys’ town.<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2013/jan/25/bowie-nights-billys-club-pictures">'The birth of the London club scene': Bowie Nights at Billy's Club – in pictures</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/steve-strange">Steve Strange obituary</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/steve-strange-a-beautiful-maverick-who-understood-the-power-of-myth">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockClubbingMusicCultureUK newsLondonFri, 13 Feb 2015 21:06:34 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/13/steve-strange-a-beautiful-maverick-who-understood-the-power-of-mythGary Kemp2015-02-13T21:06:34ZBlurred sidelines: meet the musicians who are doctors, gardeners and authorshttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/12/musicians-doctors-gardeners-authors
<p>Recording artists are pursuing myriad other professions on top of their songcraft – and not simply to pay the bills</p><p>“If you’ve got a busy brain that needs to be stimulated, you’re going to go crazy just being a musician,” says Catherine Anne Davies, part of a new generation of performers taking a more varied approach to her career. As well as making music as <a href="http://www.iamtheanchoress.com/">the Anchoress</a> and being a part-time member of Simple Minds, she’s a university lecturer, a social media consultant to the stars and the author of a book on gay poetry titled <a href="http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/whitmans-queer-children-9781441192622/">Whitman’s Queer Children: America’s Homosexual Epics</a>.</p><p>“Sitting on a tour bus all day doing nothing, then playing for a few hours every evening – that’s my idea of hell,” she says. “You’ve got to keep your mind busy. Maybe that’s why so many musicians use drugs or alcohol – you’ve got to fill that void with something. I’d rather get another PhD than acquire a heroin habit.”</p><p>I get really bored if I just do one thing ... my brain would shrink into some shrivelled mushroom</p><p>There’s an element of performance in medicine. You meet a lot of big characters</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/12/musicians-doctors-gardeners-authors">Continue reading...</a>MusicCultureMoneyEmploymentThu, 12 Feb 2015 18:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/12/musicians-doctors-gardeners-authorsPaul Lester2015-02-12T18:00:03ZKim Gordon: ‘Women aren’t allowed to be kick-ass. I refused to play the game’http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/06/kim-gordon-sonic-youth-women-kickass-book-extract
<p>For three decades, Kim Gordon was the charismatic frontwoman in Sonic Youth – alongside husband Thurston Moore. She recalls their shambolic early days, her feud with Courtney Love, and the implosion of her ‘golden’ marriage</p><p>In the early 80s, the music scene in Britain was chaotic and cut-throat. Musicians paid to get on a bill. Rock’n’roll in the UK had a lot to do with climbing over class structure, people kicking out the bars of their birth.</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/sonic-youth">Sonic Youth</a>’s first London show in 1984 was a semi-disaster, with one of my bass strings breaking midway through. Thurston [Moore] ended up hurling his guitar into the audience, and then the metal grille that separated bands from the audience lowered and the show ended. Some people thought we were the best thing on the bill, while others found us pretentious and arty. They saw us, four New Yorkers, as middle-class brats putting on an act that wasn’t real, wasn’t earned. This was made all the more ironic by the fact that many British bands, including the Beatles, came out of art school.</p><p>Courtney Love told me she thought Kurt Cobain was hot, which made me cringe. We all said, 'Uh-oh, train wreck coming'</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/06/kim-gordon-sonic-youth-women-kickass-book-extract">Continue reading...</a>Kim GordonMusicSonic YouthKurt CobainNirvanaCourtney LoveParents and parentingFamilyFri, 06 Feb 2015 13:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/06/kim-gordon-sonic-youth-women-kickass-book-extractKim Gordon2015-02-06T13:00:00ZInside the Spacebomb studio with Natalie Prass and Matthew E Whitehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/22/inside-the-spacebomb-studio-with-natalie-prass-and-matthew-e-white
<p>Prass was on the verge of giving up music before the brilliant Spacebomb collective filled her sound with soul. We went behind the scenes with them<br></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/22/natalie-prass-natalie-prass-review">• Natalie Prass album review – spellbinding country-soul</a></p><p>Drinking a flat white in a coffee shop in Richmond, Virginia, Natalie Prass has a certain no-nonsense air about her. Perhaps it’s something to do with her career to date. Her name has recently appeared on a lot of “new artists to watch in 2015” lists, the result of her eponymous debut album, which got rapturous critical notices from the minute the promotional CDs landed on journalists’ doormats. But as Prass is quick to point out, she’s anything but a new artist. She is 28, and has spent her entire adult life as a professional singer-songwriter, much of it in the notoriously unforgiving environment of Nashville’s music scene. “You learn pretty quickly if you’re cut out to do it there,” she says. “It’s such a hard audience. The level of musicianship and professionalism there is just off the charts. You really have to show people you’re worth their time, because everyone and their mom plays music. It’s cutthroat. If you want it, you have to get your shit together, you have to shape up really quickly.”</p><p>Indeed, Nashville was so tough that Prass was on the verge of giving up music entirely in favour of an unlikely career making sweatshirts for dogs: “I started my own company called Analog Dog and it was doing really well. I thought: maybe this is my calling.” Then a mutual friend alerted her to the music an old school acquaintance of hers, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/matthew-e-white">Matthew E White</a>, was making back home in Virginia with a collective of local musicians who called themselves <a href="http://spacebombrecords.com/">Spacebomb</a>. “I was like, are you kidding me, Matt White from Virginia Beach?” she says. “He said: ‘Sure, you guys should work together.’ You hear that all the time in Nashville – you guys should write together, record together, jam – so I was a little, ‘Yeah, whatever.’ But the music was really special, I have a loyalty to Virginia, I thought that it would probably be an extremely good match. And we met and it just made sense. It was so easy making the album, very easy, extremely easy. It’s really amazing what happened.” She laughs. “The guys in Spacebomb,” she says, “are all just freaks.”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/22/inside-the-spacebomb-studio-with-natalie-prass-and-matthew-e-white">Continue reading...</a>Pop and rockMusicCultureThu, 22 Jan 2015 18:27:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/22/inside-the-spacebomb-studio-with-natalie-prass-and-matthew-e-whiteAlexis Petridis2015-01-22T18:27:48ZThe Smiths: 10 of the besthttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/the-smiths-10-of-the-best
<p>From a landmark debut single to the epics of love and loss, here are 10 classic Smiths songs to warm you up for Morrissey’s forthcoming UK tour</p><p>The Smiths’ first single was everything one might want a debut to be: an extraordinary statement of musical and lyrical intent, in which Morrissey and Johnny Marr laid down a manifesto. Morrissey’s was one of difference: “No it’s not like any other love/ This one is different because it’s us!” and “We may be hidden by rags/ But we’ve something they’ll never have”. It showed his gift for unexpected vulgarity (“Hand in glove/ The sun shines out of our behinds”). And it displayed his gift, despite having long left his teens, for understanding the desperate, romantic solipsism of the teenager (something that would become more of a problem as he got older and as his lyrics increasingly suggested he was not so much empathetic as desperately solipsistic himself). Consider the line “And everything depends upon how near you stand to me”, (actually an adaptation of a lyric from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqVvNpcX5HQ">Leonard Cohen’s Take This Longing</a>). Marr, meanwhile, raced out of the traps with that soaring, triumphant opening harmonica riff, the dramatic stop-start in the verses and the umistakable air of a man who knew his rock history and was determined to plunder it without ever repeating it. Hand in Glove sounded like a teenager’s heart rendered in song – a staggering initial outburst.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/the-smiths-10-of-the-best">Continue reading...</a>The SmithsMusicCultureMorrisseyJohnny MarrIndiePop and rockWed, 21 Jan 2015 12:53:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2015/jan/21/the-smiths-10-of-the-bestMichael Hann2015-01-21T12:53:03ZZane Lowe on Apple, the BBC and why he’ll miss Londonhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/16/zane-lowe-apple-bbc-london-radio1-la
After 12 years as Radio 1’s most enthusiastic music fan, Lowe is leaving the BBC to work for Apple’s new radio service in LA. The ‘faintly tearful’ DJ explains why his stomach is churning at the thought of saying goodbye <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/16/zane-lowe-apple-bbc-london-radio1-la">Continue reading...</a>MusicRadio 1AppleCultureBBCRadio industryUK newsPop and rockMon, 16 Feb 2015 18:38:41 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/feb/16/zane-lowe-apple-bbc-london-radio1-laLaura Barton2015-02-16T18:38:41ZAccompanists: the unsung heroes of musichttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2012/mar/04/accompanists-unsung-heroes-music
They get little credit and less pay than the singers they support. So why do accompanists do it? <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2012/mar/04/accompanists-unsung-heroes-music">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicMusicCultureSun, 04 Mar 2012 17:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/tomserviceblog/2012/mar/04/accompanists-unsung-heroes-musicErich Auerbach/Getty Images‘A sensual thing’ … Gerald Moore with baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Photograph: Erich Auerbach/Getty ImagesErich Auerbach/Getty Images'A sensual thing' … Gerald Moore with baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Photograph: Erich Auerbach/Getty ImagesTom Service2012-03-04T17:01:00Z